IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.25     1.4 

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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


/^^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  ixi  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  Atd  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

r~~|    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


v/ 


D 


Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculies 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolories,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


r~~\    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  idition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu^  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


e 

Stalls 
s  du 
)Odifier 
r  une 
Image 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


rhe  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commen9ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemp<aires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  film6  &  partir 
de  Tangle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


Trata 
to 


pelure, 
n  i 


a 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

^ 


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S;i      -^* 


■^ 


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m-     *« 


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S-i^ 


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ARRATJVE 


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Mm.    JOHN  SO  if. 

An  A€C;©y]}rr  <?(  h^r  SUFEEJRHJC^^ 
during  Four  lears,  with  the  Inx^ANf 
tndFkfiMCH. 


^       II    1.11    I      M       I  g     !       I    Pi 


V  I'.-'l...     ■■■.^1  -■'    ■         ll'Hf 


fVMLl9BBif  MCCORDtpq  T9 ^CT  OF  C0MaitM$9, 


^ecood  JEdijCioo,  con'eded  and  enlarged. 


m  <  I  I  HI  I    1 1  I  I  I  I         ■■  ■«— in— — 

WINDSOR,  <Vt.) 


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i 


■''■'7^ ' 


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t 


ART  of  the  following  pages  wet  *) 
di£bxed  hf  Mn»  ionnsoiHf  now  Mrs.  Hastings 
herfelf,  aQ(^  part  were  l|i];en  from  ininutes  mad 
tiy  NIr.  JoHirioif  «kL  herfelf,  during  their  imprifon 
itnent.  She  Is  much  indehted  to  her  fettour  prlfoner, 
Mn  LABAKLREEi  bf  whoTe  afliftance  many  incident 
arc  mnUiiQ&eiU  wiii^.  lu^  ti^  re^blkaion.' 


H^i 


M<«** 


■■  ■>t!'j}iiW'y"'r''»'i 


N ARR AtiVS 


•r  THE 


C  APT  IV  ITT 


pages  wwL    Mm.     J     t>     If    N     5,0 
Hastincj 


^tes   inad( 
^  wcidenti 


fWTRa&UCTl6W. 


Hotu^s  ^  tbetttliard  Famly. 


O  trace  the  progrefi  c^  hmU 
Ise,  from  their  ori^n  to  the- prcfent  daj^ 
ivhen  perhaps  they  are  fpread  over  the 
four  quarters  of  the  globe,  and  no  memo^ 
randums  are  found  except  in  <he  tmcev^ 
Kaio  pages  of  memory,  is  a  tafk  wliich  taa 
jbebut  feebly  performed.  In^i^otidng 
Ithe  name  of  WiUard»  which  was  ^]piyiuxi<^ 


m 


v.:  1 


If 


I 


4  CAff  IVITT    o# 

ily  name,  1  cannot  pretend  to  accuVa^y  ;- 
but  the  infolrmation  which  I  have  collect- 
ed,  will  perhaps  be  of  f6tne  fervice  lo'  oth- 
€9r8,wh6''pofle&  a  grcfatef  ftobk  i  zM  if  the 
in^ious  iMranches  of  families  Would  cohtri* 
bufte  their  mites,  it' would  be  an  eafy  way 
of  remedying;. tted^ficiem^y/^  atpre£»' 
ent  ekifts  in  American  genealogy. 

The  firft  fietfoii  by  the  name  of  WiU 

lard  w]io  fettljsd  in  this  countiy,  was^  Ma« 

jor  Willard,  ^hoie  name  is  recoifded  in: 

the  hiftory  ef  New-England  Wars.    In 

the  year  fixteen  hujidfedandfeventy  five, 

in  the  time  of"  Philip*s  war,"  a  notorious 

Indian  who  lived  within  the  prefent  lim* 

its  of  the  ftate  of  Rhode-Ifland,  Majolf 

Williird  who  t^hen  HVed  in  the  toWn  of 

Xwqtftei^  itf  Ma:flachtifetts,  cdmnfanded  a 

troop  of  h(»rfe ;  and  among  his  vigorous 

fcrvipes,  he  relieved  the  town  of  Brook* 

ib^d  irbVn  tte  t^i^' Indiansf^  who  had 

burnt  eViery  houfe  but  one,  and  had  al- 

moift  reduced  that  to  capittllatiori.'    When 

Xancafter  was  deftroyed  by  the  Indians, 

Majo/  Willard  remov'ed  (o  ^alem,  where 

K^  fpent  the  reft  of  Ms  days.    He  had 

iWo  (bns,  tine  of  whom  was  a  fettled  min* 

Jftcr  in  th6  t6Wn  ctf  Oroton  ;  whiph  jiztt 


■ff 


Mrs.    JOHNSOfcl.  / 

he  was  driven  from  by  the  Indians,  and 
was  afterwards  inftalled  in  Boftcn.  His 
other  fon,  Siaion,  eftabliOxed  himfel^  on 
Still  ftiver,  fincc  taken  frota  Laiicafter, 
and  incorporated  into  the  town  oi  Har- 
.  vard.  tie  had  nine  fons,  Siniofiy  Hf^tiry^ 
Hezekiah,  John,  jofeph,  lofiatT,  Samutet^ 
Jonathan  atid  James;  jouaK  lenhoved to 
Winchefter  in  New-Hampihire,  and  after- 
wards  commanded  Fort  Dummer ;  the 
reft  inherited  the  fubftance  of  their  fother, 
and  lived  to  very  advanced  ages  lit  the  vi« 
cinity  of  their  birth.  Tiiey  all  left  nume- 
rous  families,  who  ipread  over  the  United 
Stated.  His  ddeft  fon,  Simon,  wa^  iny' 
grand^fatber  ;  he  had  two  fcins,  Aar64 
and  l^oies  :  Aaron  lived  iin  l^nd^cf^^ 
and  Mofes,  my  father,  rej^oved  to  LuiSei:^'? 
burg.  I  ought  to  remark,  that  my  gr^lui- 1^' 
mother  WiUard,  after  the  de^fi  of  ib« 
hufband,  married  a  perfpn  by  the;  tHai^e  0? 
JWhf^i^rbrth,  by  \Hiptti  ft^ 
wko  were  the  firft  fettleTs  df  Charleftotvia, 
iil^^  4~6ne  ^fth^ni  vi^  killed  by  the^  In« 
dians< 

My  father  had  twdve  ii^l(|rw-  f  he 
Ntxvwed  t0  GhaWcflown,  Ho^^  ill  >*742^ 
ii^a^liliad  thejpiafweto  &M  b|ft.^hiU 


m    . 


4  CAPTIVITY    of 

dreh  Settled  around  him  :  he  iKris  killed 
by  the  Indiansf  in  i  ycS:  My  ntiother  died 
in  March,  ^797,^  iiid  had  lived  to  fee 
twelve  ihildreh,  hinety-tviro  grand-chii- 
d/eVi,  6m  hiind^ed  aiid  twenty-thre^  great 
^rahd«childfeh,aiiidfoiirgre2t-gre^t-grand 
thildreh.  The  #hole  that  iiirvive  are 
^o\v'  fei^iled  tin  Cdnnedicut  River . 


rtaticet  of  Mr.  James  John/on. 

J^  tlie  vear  173^,  iny  grcat-uhctc, 
fcol  Joiiah  VlTUlard,  while  ait  Bofton,  was 
invited  totailte  a  walk  on  the  lon^-wharf, 
ko  view  feme  tranfpdrts  who  had  juft 
landed  from  Ireland ;  a  number  o(  gen- 
tlemen pirefent  were  viewing  the  exercife 
o|  fome  lads  who  were  placed  on  fliore, 
{6  exhibit  their  aAivity  to  thofe  wno  wifli- 
i*d  to  purcbafe.  My  uncle  fpied  a  boy  of 
fpme  vivacity,  of  about  ten  years  of  age, 


'»:<!»,, 


«*^*tthealgeol"eJghty.four^(lie  biified  hetfelf  frt 

Ji5akn^ ^coverlid,  which  contains fon>^chuig  of  tht 
e{xisirks^)t&-'^e  did  uot  quite  complete  it^.  it  notir 
tfiotiiiib  iqpirardf  of  fite  thoufiuid  piecci. 


Mk».    JOHNSON. 


} 


md  who  was  the  only  one  in  the  crew 
Irho  fpoke  Engliih  :  be  bargained  for  him. 
I  have  never  been  able  to  learn  the  price  $ 
but  as  he  was  afterwards  my  hufband,  1 
am  willing  to  fuppofe  it  a  cohfiderable 
fum.  He  queftioned  the  boy  refpeding 
his  parentage  and  defcent.  All  the  infor« 
mation  he  could  get  was^  that  young 
James,  a  confiderable  time  previous,  ifrent 
to  fea  \trich  his  uticle,  who  commainded  a 
fhip  and  hzld  th^  appearance  of  a  malt  oi^ 
propert  jr,  that  this  uiicle  was  taken  fittc  at 
fea  stnd  died  ;  immediately  after  his  death 
they  came  in  fieht  of  this  fhi^  of  Irifh 
tranfports,  and  he  was  put  on  board.  Hit 
being  the  only  one  of  tne  crew  who  fpoke 
Engliih,  and  other  circUmftanc^s,  have  led 
his  friends  to  conclude  that  this  removal 
on  boatd  the  If  ifli  fhip,  was  done  to  faciK*^ 
tate  the  feqiieftration  of  his  uticle's  pfop^ 
erty.  He  lived  with  Col.  Willard  Until  bt 
was  twenty  years  old^  aiid  then  bought 
the  other  yeair  df  his  tittie.  In  i  ^48  Gov* 
Shirley  gave  hiiii  a  lieutetiatiVs  cosa^ 
tniffion  tinder  Edward  HartweU,  Esq. 


BW^ 


M 


CAPTIVITY    Of 


Siiuatim  of  the  Country  in  1 744, 


It 


is  an  old  maiLim,  that  after  a 
man  is  in  poUellion  of  a  (iD<tll  independent 
property,  it  is  eafy  for  him  to  accjuire  a 
great  fortune  ;  juft  fo  with  countries  ; — 
poiTefs  them  of  a  few  inhabitants,  and  let 
ihofe  be  unmoleiied  by  Indians  and  ene* 
mies,  the  land  will  foon  fwarm  with  inhab* 
itants*  But  when  a  feeble  band  only  are 
gathered  together,  and  obliged  to  con* 
tend  with  peftilence,  famine  s^nd  the 
{word,  their  melancholy  numbers  will  de- 
crcafe  and  wafle  iWay.  The  iituation  of 
mr  sinqellors  has  often  been  defcribed  in 
language  that  did  honor  to  the  hearts  that 
c:onceived  it.  The  boifterous  ocean,  with 
unknown  (hores  hentVmed  them  in  on  one 
fide,  and  a  foreft,  fwarming  withfavagei, 
yelling  for  their  blood,  threatened  on  the 
otber*  But  the  fame  undaui^ted  fpirtt 
which  has  defended  them  in  fo  many  per* 
lis,  buoyed  them  above  defpair  ii)  tnei¥ 
early  ftruggles  for  fafety  and  libctrty.  I 
Ihall  l>e  pardoned  for  the  digreffioii  wlicn 
1  djierve,  that  I  have  in  all  vsij  travels  idt 


Mr*.  JOHNSON. 


a 
It 

2 


SI  degree  of  pride  in  recoUe&ing,  that  I  bc« 
tongc^d  to  a  eountry  whofe  valor  was  dif* 
tingulfhed,  and  vhofe  fpirit  had  never 
been  debafed  by  (ervHe  fubmiffion. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen,  in  17449 1 
made  a  vtik  from  Leominfter  to  Charlef-^ 
town,  to  vifit  my  parent»^  Thro^  a  long' 
wildernefs  from  Lunenburg  to  Lower  Afli* 
iielot,  now  Swanzey,  we  travelled  two 
days^ ;  a  fblttary  houfe  Was  all  the  mark  of , 
cuttivaftion  that  occurred  on  th€f  journey. 
Guided  by  marked  tfees,We  travelled  can- 
iioufly  thro'  the  gloomy  foreft^whefie  now 
the  well-till*d  farms  occupy  e^ch  rod  of 
ground  :  from  Afliuelot  to  Charleftown 
the  pafiage  was  oppofed,  now  by  *^  the  hilt 
of  difficulty/'  and  nfow  by  the  flough  def-^ 
pond.  A  few  foHtary  inhabitants,  who 
appeared  the  repfefentatives  of  wretcheKi- 
nefs,  were  fcattered  on  the  way. 

Whew  I  approached  the  town  of 
Charleftowh,  the  firft  bbjed  that  met  my 
^es  Was  a  party  of  Indians  holding  a  war 
dance,  a  caft:  of  rum  which  the  inhabit- 
ants had  fufiered  them  to  partake  of,  had 
Iraifed  their  fpirits  to  all  the  horrid  yelk, 
tnd  feats  of  diftortion  which  chara^erija^ 
the  nation.    I  was  chilled  at  the  ^ht^,  pnd 


lO 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


pafled  tremblingly  by*  At  tbis  time 
Charleftown  Gontained  nine  or  t^n  fami- 
lies, who  livi*d  in  huts  not  far  diftant  from 
each  other.  The  Indians  were  numerous, 
and  affociated  in  a  friendly  manner  with 
the  whites.  1 1  was  the  moft  northerly  fet- 
tlement  ok  Conncfticut  River,  and  the 
adjacent  country  was  terribly  wild*  A 
iawiriill  was  ereAed,  and  the  firtt  boards 
were  (awed  while  I  was  there  :  the  inhab- 
itants icommemorated  the  event  with  a 
daficejwhichtook  place  on  the  newboards. 
In  thofe  days  there  was  fuch  a  mi:iiturc 
on  the  frontiers,  of  favages  and  fettlers, 
without  eflablifhed  laws  to  goveriii 
them,  that  the  ftate  of  fociety  cannot  be 
eaiily  defcribed,  and  the  impending  dan- 
gers of  war,  where  it  was  known  that  the 
favages  would  join  the  enemies  of  our 
country,^  retarded  the  prbgrefs  of  refine- 
ment and  cultivation.  The  inhabitants  o( 
Charleftown  began  to  ere6b  a  fort,  and 
look  fome  fteps  towards  clearing  their 
farms ;  but  war  &>on  checked  their  in^uC 


Mrs.   JOHNSON. 


It 


Charkjiown. 


I 


N  the  year  1740,  the  firft  fcttte* 
ment  was  made  in  the  town  of  Charlef- 
town,  then  known  by  the  name  of  No.  4, 
by  three  families  who  emigrated  fron)  Lu« 
nenburg,  by  the  name  of  Fanifworth  ; 
that  part  oiv^ew-Hampfhire  weft  of  Mer- 
rimac  Riv^er  was  then  a  trackleis  wilder* 
nefs.  Within  afew  years  paftinftancesha^e 
been  known,  of  new  townfhips  totally  un- 
inhabited,becoming  flourilhing  and  thick* 
fettled  villages  in  the  courfe  of  fix  or  fcvca 
years.  But  in  thofe  days,  when  govern^ 
ment  was  weak,  when  favages  were  on 
our  borders  and  Frenchmen  in  Cajnadtt 
population  extended  with  timoi^bus  and 
tardy  paces  ;  in  the  coiirfc  of  ti^^dye 
years  the  families  increafed  only  toiisiren^ 
ty  two  or  three.  The  human  race  w31 
not  flpurifli  unlefe  foftered  by  theiiijfrarm 
funfliine  of  peace. 

During  the  firft  twenty  y^ivsittf  itt 
exiftence  as  a  fettle^d  place,  until  the  pesiCP 
between  Great-Britain  and  Fk-ance,  it  lu£- 
fered  all  the  confternation  and  ravages  of 


V 


/ 


n 


CAPTIVITY    G> 


war  I  not  that  warfsure  which  civilized  iia* 
'tioj[is  wage  with  eacli  oth^t  but  the  cruel 
carnage  of  fayages  andFrenchmen.  Some- 
limes  engaged  in  ithe  duties  of  the  camp, 
jat  others  fequeftering  theipfelves  frpm  fiir- 
rounding  enemies,  they  became  familis^ 
with  danger,  UuJt  pot  with  ind\ilVriou$ 
hufb^ndry^ 

In  Jthe  y^ar  .1744,  the  in^9,bitant8  ber 
gan  to  jcred  a  fort  for  their  fafety.  Wbcp 
the  Cape  Breton  war  cpmm.dliced^  the  In- 
dians afiumed.the  hatchet  and  beean  their 
depredation^  on  Cbai::lefto.wn  on  the  19th 
day  of  Apxil,  a.  d.  1746^  by  burning  th<: 
mills,  9cUd  talking  C^^pt.  John  Spafford,  l- 
faac  Parker,  ^nd  3tepnen  F^Qiyorth  pri(- 
,oiiers.  On  the  fcqond  of  JP4ay  following 
Seth  Putnanti  was  Jk^iiled.  Two  days  aiFter 
rCapt.  Payne  arrived  with  atrpopof  horfe 
froip  Ma&^chufetts,  to  defend  the  place  ; 
*a^bout  twenty  of  his  ipen  had  the  cvriofity 
Ip  view  tfie  place  where  Putoam  was  kilL 
«d,  and  were  ambuf^ed  by  the  Indians. 
Capt.  Stevens,  who  commanded  a  few 
men,  ruihed  out  of  the  fort  to  ther  relief ; 
a  fharp  combat  enfued,  in  which  the  In- 
dians were  routed  :  they  left  fome  guns 
and  blankets  on  the  field  of  aftion,  but 


Mrs,    |0HNS0N.  J3 

they  carried  their  de.ad  off  with  thcm^ 
which  is  a  poUcy  they  snever  omit.  Ea- 
^gn  Obadiah  Sartwell  was  c^^ptured,  and 
f  Samuel  5'arnfwprtb,  Elijah  Allen,  Peter 
Per  in,  Aaron  Lyon  and  Jofeph  Mafiey  iell 
viAimsjto  Indian  vengea^nce^ 

On  the  i9tho£Jjinc,a  fevare  engOrge- 
ment  took  place.  Capt.  Brown,  from 
Stow  in  Maflaciwifctts,  had  previoufly  ar- 
rived with  fomc  troops  ;  a  party  of  his, 
joined  a  number  of  Capt.  Stevens*  fol- 
-diers  to^o  into  the  meadow  after  thei,r 
hocfes.  The  dogs  difcavered  an  amb;uj[h, 
which  put  than  i^ to  a  poflu^rc  i^  a£tion, 
and  gave  them  the  advantage  of  the  fi^it 
4if e.  This  ^iiiconcerted  the  fava^es^  who 
being  on  higher  ground  oyei -Ihot,  aixd 
did  but  Utile  damage  to  the  Englilh.  Th^ 
enemy  were  routed,  a,j;^d  eyeiiiee,n  to  drag 
leyeral  de^ad  bodies  after  them.  They 
left  behind  tiiem  guns,  fpears  and  blank* 
ets,  which  fold^t  40I.  old  tenor.  0iiring 
the  time  Capt.  Jofiah  Brown. aflifted  in  de- 
fending,the  fort,  Jedldiah  Wijichcl  was 
killed,  Samuel  Stanhope,  Cornet  Baker 
andDavid  Parker  were  wounded.  During 
thisfummer  the  fort  was  entiiely. blocka- 
ded, and  all  were  obliged  to  take  refuge 

B 


/, 


%^'rf 


»4 


CAPTIVITY    o> 


within  the  pickets*  On  the  3d  day  6f 
Auguft  one^hitips  was  killed  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  fort,  as  he  accidentally  ftepped 
4DiUt ;  at  night  a  foldier  crept  to  him  with 
a  rope,  and  he  was  drawn  into  the  fort  and 
interred.  In  the  fummcr  of  the  year  1746^ 
Capt.  Ephraim  Brown  from  Sudbury^  ajr- 
rived  with  a  troop  of  horfe  to  relieve 
Capt.  Jofiah  Brown.  The  Sudtmry  troop 
tarried  about  a  months  and  were  relieved 
by  a  company  commanded  by  Capt.Wini^ 
cnefter,  who  defended  the  place  till  au»- 
tiitnn,when  the  inhabitants,  fatigiml  with 
watching,  and  weary  of  the  daiigers  of 
the  forett,  deferted  the  place  <;ntireJy  for 
about  fix  months.  In  the  month  of  All*, 
guft  previous  to  the  evacuation,  the  In- 
dians affifted  bf  their  brethren  the  French^ 
were  very  troublefome  and  mifchievous  5 
they  dcftroycd  all  the  horfes,  hogs  and 
cattle.  An  attack  was  made  on  the  fort, 
which  lafted  two  days.  My  father  at  this 
time  loft  ten  cattle,  but  the  people  wer« 
feourcd  behind  their  wooden  walls,  atid 
received  but  little  dami^.  ^ 

In  this  recefs  of  th6  icttlcment  of  No^ 
4,  the  Indians  and  French  were  ice-locked 
in  Canada,  and  the  frontiers  fuffered  only 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


15 


in  apprcbenlioii.  In  March,  1747,  Capt^ 
PhinehajR  Stevens,  who  convmanded  a  ran- 
ging  party  af  about  30  men,  marched  ta 
No.  4,  and  took  poffeffion  of  the  fort. 
He  found  it  uninjured  by  the  enemy,  and 
an  old  fpaniel  and  a  cat,  who  had  been  dcv 
Hiefticated  before  the  evacuation,  had 
guarded  it  fafely  thro*  the  winter,  and 
gave  the  troops  at  hearty  wekonie  to  their 
tcnentent. 

C  AP T.  Stevens  was  of  eminent  fervifft 
to  the  infant  iettlemccit  lit  1 748  hq  mov- 
ed his  fam^iiy  to  the  place,  and  encourisiged 
the  fettiers  liy  his  fortitude  and  induftry> 
la  the  cjrly  part  of  his  life,  when  Rutland 
fuffered  by  favage  vengeance,  when  the: 
Rev.  Mr.  Willard  was  murdered,  he  was 
taken  prifoncr  and  carried  to  St.  Francis*- 
This  informed  him  of  the  Indian  cuAenis,^ 
and  familiarized  him  with,  their  mode  of 
warfare :  he  was  an  active,  penetrating 
foidier,  and  a  refpeclable,  worthy  citizen^ 

In  a  few  days  after  the  fort  was  takeo^ 
poffeffion  of  by  Capt.  Stevens'  troops,  » 
party  of  500  French  and  Indiana,  com- 
manded by  Moasw  Debelcie,  Tallied  from 
their  den  in  Canada,  and  made  a  furibu$ 
«tttack  on  the  fore.     The  battle  l;iifl[c4  6yg 


1 1*.  '  «,' ' 


^  .--^1 


i6 


dAPtivirr  or 


M 


days,  and  every  ftratagem  which  French 
policy  OF  Indian  malice  could  invent,  was 
praAifed  to  reduce  the  gar^ifon.    Some- 
times they  made  ati  onfet  by  a  discharge  of 
Iftufquetry,  at  others  they  diffcharged  fire 
arrows,  which  communicated  fire  to  fev- 
eral  parts  of  the  fort.     Bit  thefe  were  in- 
fufficient  todaant  the  courage  of  the  Kttlc 
band  that  were  alfailed.    Their  next  ftep 
was  to  fill  a  cart  with  combuftibles^  and 
^oU  it  againft  the  vtralls,  to  communicate 
fire  $  but  the  Englifli  kept  up  fuch  a  brilk 
mceffant   fire  that    they    were    defeats 
edin  the  project     At  kngth  the  Mon- 
fieurs,  tired  with  fighting,  beat  a  parley  ; 
two  Indians,  formerly  acquainted  with 
Capt.  Stevens,  came  as  negociators,  and 
wiflxed  to  exchange"  fome  turs  for  corn  ; 
this  Capt.  Stevens  refufed,  but  offered  a 
bufhel  of  corn  for  each  hoftage  they  would 
leave  to  be  exchanged^  at  fome  future  day. 
Thefe  terms  were  not  complied  with,  and  ^ 
on  the  fifth  day  the  enemy  retreated,  at 
which  time  the  foldiers  in  the  garrifon 
honored  them  with  as  bri&  a  difcbarge  as 
they  could  afford,  to  let  them  know  that 
they  were  neither  dilheartened  nor  ex- 
haufled  in  ammunition.    The  garrifon 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


n 


hstd  ncme  killed,  and  only  one«  tbe  nsMBe 
of  Browa,  was  wounded^ 

Per-haps  no  place  was  ever  defended 
with  greater  bravery  than  this  fort  during 
this  adsian ;  30  or  40  men,  when  attacked 
by  500,  muft  have  aK>  uncommon  degree 
or  fortitude  and  vigilance  to  defend.them- 
felves  during  a  fiege  of  five  days.  But 
Capt.  Stevens  was  equal  to  tbe  taik,  and 
will  be  applauded  by  pofterity*  After  the 
liattle  be  fent  an  exprefs  to  Bofton  with 
tbe  tidings.  Gov.  Charles  Knowles  hap- 
pened tbqti  to  be  at  Bofton,  and  reward* 
ed  Gapt  Stevens  with  a  handfome  fword,. 
in  gratitude  for  which  th^^ace  was  after- 
ward? called  Charlejtown. 

In  November  1 747,  a  body  6f  the 
troops  fct  out  from  the  fort,  to  return  to 
Mailachufetts  ;  th&y  had^  not  proceeded 
far  before  the  Indians  firi^  on  them.  Ifaac 
Goodale  and  Nathaniel  Gould  were  killed^ 
and  one  Anderfon  taken  prifoner.  .  J*rom 
this  period  until  the  end  of  G*pc  Ihrctoa 
war,  the  fort  was  defended  by  C^glft.  Ste- 
vens. Soldiers  paffed  and  repafied  to  Cbii* 
uda,  but  the  rnhabita^nts  took  fanAuary  if» 
the  fore,  and  made  iktt  little  tirofertfe  in 
cukivatiozu     Huring  the 


i8 


CAPTIVitt  OF 


4*' 


;ii 


mrhich  hfted  till  the  year  1 760^  Cliarlef- 
town  was  noted  more  for  its  feats  of  war, 
than  a  jilace  of  rapid  improvement.  Set- 
tiers  thought  it  more  prudent  to  remain 
with  their  friends  iti  fafcty,  thaft  rilk  their 
fcalps  with  favage  power.  Since  that  pe- 
riod, it  has  become  a  flourifliing  village; 
and  cont2£ins  all  that  a  rural  fituation  af- 
fords of  the  ufcful  and  the  pleafant  ;  nu- 
merous farms  and  ftately  buildings  now 
flouriih,  where  the  favage  roamed  the  for- 
eft.  The  profperity  of  the  town  was  great- 
ly  promoted  by  the  Rev.  Bulkdy  Olcott, 
who  ^*ras  a  fettled  minifter  there  about  32 
years.  In  the  charafter  of  this  good  man 
was  combined  the  agreeable  companion, 
the  induAx^ioUs  citizen,  and  tmafifeAed 
thriftian.  During  the  whole  of  his  min- 
iftry,  his  folicitude  for  the  happinefs  of  his 
paiifliioners  was  asconfpictiousjin  the  ben- 
efits they  received  from  his  affiftance,  as 
in  their  fincere  attachment  to  his  perfon. 
As  a  divine  he  was  palthetic^  devout  and 
inftruAive,and  may  with  propriety  be  faid 
to  have 

Shewn  tlie  path  to  heaven,  and  led  the  way. 

He  was  highly  refpefted  through  life  :  in 
June,  1793,  he  diedj  much  lamented. 


inatic 

Grea 

been 

Johnf 

to  re 

undei 

journ 

found 

far  in 

But  tl 

app^a: 

home 

arriva 

withd 

confid 

men, 

ofbol 

lavage 

c:i:h  c 

/!>!  iar 

•hifin^ 


IvUs.    JOHNSON,  19 


Remmmlto  Charleftowtit  tft' 


I 


N  May  1 749,  we  received  infor* 
feiation  of  the  ceffatii)ii  of  arm3  between 
Great  Britain  and  Fraf^ce.  I  bad  tben 
been  married  about  two  years,  ;^nd  Mr. 
Johnfon's  enterprifing  fpirit  wag  asedous 
to  remove  to  Charimown  ;  in  June  wc 
undertook  the  hazardous  and  fatiguing^ 
journey  :  we  arrived  fafe  at  the  fort,  and 
found  five  famili  ^s,  who  had  ventured  fo 
far  into  the  woods  during  hoftilities.— 
But  the  gloomy  foreftj  and  thei^rllke 
appearance  of  the  place,  foon  made  me 
homefick.  T>yo  or  three  days  iftet  rty 
arrival,  orders  came  from  Mauathufetts  to 
withdraw  the  troops :  g^ivernment  placed 
confidence  in  the  pro&fed^ace  of  French^ 
xnen,  and  withdrew  even  the  appearance 
ofhoftility.  But  French  tratsilery  and 
lavage  malice'  will  ever  keep  pac^with 
cr.:h  other.  Without  even  the  fuiPcion 
/cvl  danger,  the  inhabitants  went  about  tlreit; 
t^Jifmefs  of  huibandry*  The  day  the  ibl- 
d:^rs  left  the  fort,  EnfignQbadiah  Sart^ 
^v :]]  went  to  hurrow  fomecoriij  aud  took 


>^ 


m 


■mMM 


•??,*i. ); 


« 


^ 


CAPTIVITY   or 


Enos  Stetens,  the  fourth,  foa  of  Phinchat 
Stevens^  EiBq^  ta  ride  hoi  fe  ;.  my  father 
;ind  two  brothers  were  ait  work  ia  the 
i^eadow  j  early  in  the  afternoon  the  In- 
dians appeared  and  fliot  Eiifign  Sartwell 
and"  the  horfe,  and  took  young  Stevens  a 
jprifonex.  fo  addition  to  this^  my  father 
and  brothers  were  in^  the  meadow,  and 
we  fiippx)fed  they  muft  be  deftroyed.  My 
hulband  was  gone  to  Northfield.  In  the 
fort  were:  f&vea  women  and  four  men  : 
the  anxiety  and  grief  we  experienced  wa*. 
the  higjiieil  imaginable.  The  next  night 
w^  dtfpatdied  a  po&  to:  Boiion,  to  carry 
th«  news  of  our  difafter,  but  my  father 
and  brothers  did  not  return.  The  next 
day  but  one  my  hufband  a^nd  five  or  fix 
others  arrived  from  Northfield.  We  kept 
dofe  in  the  garrifon,  rufiering  every  ap- 
pFehenfton  for  ten  or  twelve  days,  when 
ttie  f^ntry  from  the  box  cried  out  that 
troops  were  coming  :  jo^^ful  at  the  relief, 
we  aU  mounted  on  the  top  c^  the  fort,  and 
auion^the  reft  difcovered  my  father. — 
Hc^  on  hearing  the  guns,^  fuppofed  the 
jfort  was  deftroyed,  left  his  team  in  the 
meadow,  and  made  the  bell  of  hit  way  to 
BJbrtihfidd;  wiili  my  two  brothers.     The 


"* , 


Mai.    I  oh  if  V  oh.  si 

{aldiers  were  about  thirty  in  nuitiber,  and 
headed  by  Major  Jdfiah  Willard,  of  ¥6rt 
Dummer.  Enos  Stevens  was  carried  tQ 
Montreal,  but  the  French  contmander  fent 
him  back  direftly,  by  the  way  of  Albany* 
This  Was  the  laft  damage  done  the  fron« 
tiers  during  the  Cape  Breton  war. 


Cur/oty  NoiictSi 


XX 


DETAIL  of  the  niifei»ie$  of  i 
"frontier  nman/*  *ini^  excite  the  pity  of 
every  child  of  humanity.  The  gldbmi- 
nefs  of  the  Fude  foreft,  the  diftance  from 
friends  and  competent  defence,  and  tlie 
daily  inroads  and  nocturnal  yells  of  hof- 
tiie  Indians,  awaken  thofe  keen  appre^ 
benflons  and  anitieties  which  conception 
only  can  piAure.  If  the  peaceful  emi- 
ployment  of  hufbandry  k  purfiied,  the 
loaded  mufket  muft  ftlinid  by  his  fide ;  if 
he  vifits  a  neighbor,  or  reJforts  on  Sun- 
days to  the  facred  houfe  of  prayer,  the 
weapons  of  war  muft  liear  him  coni|>sujy  | 
at  home,  the  diftrciTes  of  a  wife,  and  ^he 
fears  of  Ufj^ing  children  often  unman  the 


lar. 


CAPrivnr  or 


foul  that  reftl  darnger  allkikd  lA  vain.-— 
Thofe  who  caiv  recoUec}:  tbi€  war  that  ex* 
lifted  between  FpaiKc  atnli  Englaind  fifty 
years  ago>  may  figure  to  themfelves  the 
unhappy  fituation  of  the  inhabitants  oi\ 
the  frontiers  of  New-BaanpflHre  ;  the 
malice  of  the  French  in  Canada,!  and  the 
e,;^rpcrated  favages^  that  dwelt  in  their 
vicinity,  tendered  the  tedious  d^ys  and 
frightful  nights  a  feafon  of  unequalled 
calamities.  The  daily  reports  of  captured 
families  and  flaiightered  friends,  mingled 
grief  witk  fear.  Had  there  been;  an  or« 
Ionized  government,,  to  ftretch  forth  ks 
protefting  arm,  in  any  cafe  of  danger,  the 
naifevy  might  have  been  in  a  di^ree  alle« 
vi{itied.  But  the  infancy  of  our  country 
did  not  zdmit  of  this  blefiing.  Wiiile 
Governor  Shii^ley  of  Maflachmetts^  was« 
petitioDiag  to  England  for  a  Heeit  and  an 
army,  Beamng  Wentworth  tha  lupine 
governor  of  New-Bampflure^  obeyed  im- 
i.plickly  the  advice  of  his  friend  Shirley,^ 
and  remained,  inactively  f^cture  at  his  feat 
at  Portfmouth*  At  the  commenjcement 
of  the  year  1745,  the  Quixotic  eatpedition 
to  Louifburg  was;  proje<fled,  the  fuccefSr 
1^  whidi  ocigpinaied  from  the  mexiefl  accU 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


«3 


dent,  rather  than  from  niHitajry  talor  or 
generalfhip^  tWs  drained  the  thinly  in- 
habited ft^te  o(  New-Hampihire  ot  moft 
of  its  cfFeftive  men.  From  th*t  period 
till  the  peace,  ^hich  took  place  in  tKe 
year  1749,  the  vifionary  fchemcs  ofShir^ 
ley  kept  the  bcft  foldiers  embodied  in 
fomc  remote  place,  as  a  force  :to  execute 
fome  impolitic  projcft.  The  ^lonqueft  of 
Cainada,  »nd  the  attack  upon  Crown- 
:point,  are  recorded  as  ^jpecimens  of  the 

/wild  projeSs  which  were  to  employ  the 
infant  forces  of  ^New-England.  During 
this  time,  the  frontiers  fuuained  addition- 
al  mif^xies,  by  haVtng  the  fmall  forces  of 
the  ftate  deducled  for  purpofes  which 
could  be  of  no  immediate  fervice  to  tftcih. 
The  favages  committed  frequent  depreda- 
tions on  tlve  defenceicfs  inhabitant^,  and 
the  eafe  with  which  they    gained  Ifteir 

•'^prey,  encouraged  their  boldneft,  and  by 
fcattering  in  fmall  parties,  they  were  able 
to  infeft  the  whole  frontier  ofNew-Hamp- 
fliire,  from  fort  Dummer  on  Conne(fliGUt 
river,  to  the  loweft  fettlement  on  Merri- 
macfc  Durmg  this  war,  which  is 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Cape  Bretcai 
war,  the  town  of  No.  4  could  hardly  be 


I 


,"<lS'^ 


* '  'Tin 


^'i: 


:'i'A"f*{ 


SfJiili 


^4 


CAPTIVITY   Of 


/aid  to  be  inhabited  ;  fome  adventurers 
had  made  a  beginniiig,  hut  few  were  con- 
fidered  as  belonging  to  the  town.  Capt. 
Stevens,  whofe  valqr  is  recorded  as  an 
inftance  of  confummate  generalfliip,  part 
of  the  time  kept  th«  fort,  which  afforded 
a  flielter  to  the  enterprizing  fettlers  in 
times  of  imminent  danger.  Bui  even  his 
vigilance  did  not  fave  the  town  from  nu- 
merous jfcenes  of  carnage.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  peace,  in  1749,  the  en- 
terprifing  fpirit  of  New-England  rofe  fu- 
perior  to  the  dangers  of  the  foreft,  and 
they  began  to  venture  innovation.  The 
Indians,  ftill  thirfty  forplunder  and  rapine, 
and  regardlefe  of  the  peace  which  their 
mafters,  the  French,  hadconcluded,  kept  up 
a  flying  warfare,  and  committed  feveral 
outrages  upon  lives  and  property  ;  this 
kept  the  increaiing  inha,bitants  in  a  ftate 
of  alarm,  for  three  or  four  years  ;  moft  of 
the  time  they  performed  their  daily  work 
without  moleftation,  but  retreated  to  the 
fort  at  each  returning  night. 

Ouji  country  has  fo  long  been  expofed 
to  Indian  wars,  that  recitals  of  exploits  and 
Offerings,  of  efcapes  and  deliverances, 
have  become  both  numerous  and  trite. 


Mrs.    JOHlSfSON. 


25 


turers 
e  con- 
Capt. 
I  as  an 
p,  part 
Forded 
ers  in 
(Ten  his 
m  nu* 
5  corn- 
he  en- 
ofe  fu- 
ft,  and 
The 
rapine, 
I  their 
:ept  up 
feveral 
;  this 
a  ftate 
noft  of 
r  work 
to  the 


The  air  of  novelty  will  not  be  attempted 
in  ihc  following  pages  ;  fitnple  fefts,  tin- 
adorned,  is  what  the  reader  muft  expe<El ; 
piiy  for  my  (ufFerings,  and  admiration  at 
my  fafe  return,  is  all  that  my  hiftory  can 
excite.  The  aged  man,  while  plerufing, 
will  probably  turn  his  attention  to  the  pe- 
riod when  th€  fa£ls  took  placed  his  mem- 
ory wiu  be  refreftied  with  the  fad  tidings 
of»  his  country's  fufierings,  which  gave  a 
daily  wound  to  his  feelings,  between  the 
y^art  1 740  and  1 760  ;  by  contrafting  thofe 
days  with  the  prefent,  he  may  rejoice  that 
he  witneffes  thofe  times  which  many  have 
**  waited  for,  but  died  without  a  fight." 
Thofe  "  in  early  life,"  while  they  commif- 
eratc  the  fuffierings  which  their  parents 
and  anceftors  endured,  ,  may  felicitate 
themfelv€S  that  their  lines  fell  in  aland  of 
peace,  where  neither  favages  nor  neigh- 
boring wars  moleft  their  happinefs. 


w 


tx 


«.*': 


xpofeii 
its  and 
ranees, 
i  trite. 


e 


s<$ 


CAPTI¥ltY  «F 
C  H  A  Pt    Ift 

■  ■■,  '        ♦  ;  ^ 

^ituatim  until  Augvjl  31^  >7.S4' 


IlTj^OME  of  the  ^bldierjwh©  arriv- 
ed withf  Major  Willard,  with  the  inhabit- 
\zv^i  who  bore  arms,  were  commanded  by^ 
Ca{»t.  Stevens  thc^rdl  of  tflic  ^ear  1 749, 
and  part  of  the  following^  fpring;;  after 
which  the  inhabitants  rcfidcdiprctty  much 
in  the  fort,  until  the  fpiingror  fall  of  the 
jpear  1752.  Th:cy  cultivated  their  lande 
in  fomc  degree,  but  they  pwt  hut  little 
confidence  m  the  favages. 

Thb  contii^uatioh  of  peace  began  by 
deg^cs  to  appeafe  the  refcntment  of  the 
Indians,  andclhey  appeared  to  difcovcr  a 
wi£h  for  friendly  intercourfe.  The  inhab^ 
itants  i«  No.  4,  and  its  vicinity,  xclaxed 
their  watchfulnefs,  and  ventured  more 
boldly  into  their  fields.  Every  appear- 
ance of  hoftility  at  length  vanimed — the 
Indians  exprefied  a  wifli  to  traffic,  the 
inhaWtantskid  by  their  fears,  and  thought 
no  more  of  tomahawks,  nor  fcalping- 
knives.  Mr.  Johnfon  now  thought  him- 
felf  juC'fied  in  removing  to  his  farm,  an 


hun 

was  I 
Coi 


Mrs.    JOHNSON.         ^irjr 


hiindred  rods  idift^nt  fmm  t^  fort, whkb 
was  then  t^he  upperqioft  fettlcineii^    on' 
Conii?<EVicut  River,  he  pijrfued  h's  occw- 
|>atioii  of  erade,^iid  the  ][i)dians  mstde  frfe- 
qjLient  vifits  to  traffic  their  furs  for  his  mer^ 
chandize.>    He  frec^uently  credited  them 
for  blankets  imd  other  neceflkries,  ajidi  in. 
moft  inftances they  were  punftiiaj mpay* 
ment.    During  the  year  1755,  aft  waor 
harmony  and  fafety-fettlements  increajfed 
with  tolerable  rapidity ,  and  the  Qew  coba** 
try  began^to  ai&ine  the  appearance  of  ci^» 
tivation.. 

The  cpxnmcncemcnf  of  the  year  1 754^ 
began  to  threaten  another  rupture  \)^ 
fwecn  the  French  and  Englifti^  and  as  the, 
dividing  line  between  Canada  and  tbe^ 
EJtiglifli  Colonies  was  the  obj^lt  of  content 
tion,  it  was  readily  feen  that  the  frontii^]?' 
town3,  would  be  in  imminent  danger.  !Kjt 
as immediate  w:ar  was  not  expccbed,  Mb?*- 
Johnfon  thought  that  he  might  riik  thie 
fafety  of  his  family,  while  lie  made  a  tour 
to  Conneducut,  for  trade.  He  fat  ou,t  the 
lafl;  of  May,  and  his  abfence  of  thre^^ 
monihs  was  a  tedious  and  a  bitter  feafijn^ 
to  me.  Soon  after  his  departure  every 
was  "  tremblingly  alive**  with  fe^j^. 


mm 


I'   11 


28- 


CAPTIVITY  or 


|i  .''.'I'l  y  ' 


The  Indians  were'  reported  to  be  on  their 
inarch  for  our  deftrucl:ion,and  our  diftance 
from  fources  of  information  gave  full  lati- 
tude for  exaggeration  of  news,  before  it 
reached  our  ears.  The  fears  of  the  night 
were  horrible  beyond  defcription,  aend 
even  the  light  of  day  was  far  trom  difpeU 
Iriig  painful  anxiety.  While  looking 
from  the  windows  of  my  iog-houfe,  and 
feeing  my  neighbors  tread  cautioully  by 
each  hedge  and  hillock,  left  fome  fecreted 
favage  might  ftart  forth  to  take  their  fcalp, 
my  fears  would  baffle  defcription.  Alarms 
grew  louder  and  louder,  till  our  apprehen- 
fions  were  too  ftrongly  confirmed  by  the 
news  of  the  capture  of  Mr.  Malioon's  fam*-* 
ily,  on  Merrimack  River  ;  this  reached  us 
about  the  aSth  of  Auguft  Imagination 
now  faw  and  heard  a  thoufand  Indians  ; 
and  I  never  went  round  my  own  houfe, 
without  firft  looking  with  trembling  cau- 
tion by  each  corner,  to  fee  if  a  tomahawi; 
was  not  raifed  for  my  deftruftiori. 

On  the  24th  of  Auguft  I  was  relieved 
from  all  my  fears  by  the  arrival  of  my 
hufband.  He  brought  intelligence  from 
Gonnefticut  that  a  war  was  expeded  the 
next  fpring,  but  that  po  immediate  danger 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


«9 


was  contemplated.  He  had  made  prepa^ 
rations  to  remo*Ci;  to  Nopthfield,  asibonaiJ. 
our  ftock  of  hay  was  confumed,  and  our 
dozen  oi  fwine  bad  dernoii&ed  our  ctj^riple 
ftorcs  of  grain,  which  would  iecure^his^ 
family  and  property  from  the  miferies  ai^d 
lavages  of  W:ar .  ChiV:  eldeft  fon ,  Sylvaniie, 
who  was  fix  years  old',  was  i'n  the  mean 
time  to  be  put  to  fchool  at;  Springfield* 
Mr.  Jofctnfon  brought;  home  a  large  addif 
tion  to  his  ftores,  and  the  neighbors  madie^ 
ftequent  parties,  at  oui:  hoirfe,  to  e^^pre^ 
their  joy  for  his  return^  and  tifjie  pa0!e4 
merrily  oflT^  by  the  aid  of  fpirit  md,  %  rigi^ 
yard  of  melons.  As  I  was  iiji  the  laft  da)f * 
of  pregnaiMcy,  I  coiild  not  jjmn  fo^hxrartily 
in  their  good  ch^eer  as  I  otn^rwife  might. 
Yet  in  a  new  country,  {^eafiijrq  |^:  oftien  de* 
i^ived  from  iou-rces  uDkoowiv  t<;r  tb^  le^r 
a^cuftomed  to  the  wpods.  Tbie  retlill^Q 
of  my  bpfbandj  ^he  relief  Jiirom  ^n^if^ 
and  the  crowds  of  happy  fri^i^^  co^jbinv 
cd  lojrend'ei^  my  §tuation  pecidiaijlj?  ^^^ 
able.  I  noyu^  bpaj^di  wijthf  ^Jf:u|l;'a]l^ipni 
that  I  ftipuld,  wiith;  h<iiflbandv  fticnds.  ^n4 
lu)iuri^s,  live  happy  in,  fpite  of  tb«  fear  <j£ 


s«. 


?% 


HI 


'H 


m 


3° 


CAPTIVItY  o* 


lu 


%y. 


On  the  evening  of  the  ^gth  of  Augiift 
'our  houfe  was  vifited  by  a  party  of  neigh- 
bors, who  fpent  the  time  very  cheerfully 
with  watermelons  and  flip,  till  midnight  ; 
theyall  then  retired  in  high  fpirits,excepta 
fpruce  young  fpark,  who  tarried  to  keep 
compatiy  with  my  lifter.  We  then  went 
to  bed  with  feelings  well  tuned  for  fleep, 
and  refted  with  fine  compofure,  till  mid- 
way between  daybreak  and  funrife,  when 
we  were  roufed  by  neighbor  Labarree^'s 
knocking  at  the  door,  who  had  ihoulder- 
ed  his  ax  to  do  a  day's  work  for  my  hut 
band.  Mr.  Johnfon  flipped  on  his  jacket 
and  trowfers,  and  fl:eppdd  to  the  door  to 
let  him  in.  But  by  openinir  the  door  he 
opened  a  fcene-^terrible  to  deicribe  !  ! 
Indians !  Indians  were  the  firfl:  words  I 
heard,  he  fprang  to  his  guns,  but  Labar« 
ree,  hcedlefs  of  danger,  inftead  of  cloflng 
the  door  to  keep  them  out,  began  to  raUy 
our  hired  men  up  flairs,  for  not  rifing  ear- 
lien  But  in  an  infl:ant  a  crowd  of  favages, 
fixed  horribfy  for  war,ruihed  furioufly  in. 
I  fcreamed  and  begged  my  friends  to  aflw 
for  quarter  ;  by .  this  tin>e  they  were  all 
over  the  houfe  ;  fome  up  flairs,  foir:o 
hauling  my  After  out  of  bed,  another  had 


Mrs.  JOHNSOl^, 


^ .  \? 


3J 


hold  of  me,  and  one  was  approaching  Mr. 
Johnfon,  who  ftood  in  the  middle  of  the. 
floor  to  deliver  himfelf  up  ;  but  the  Inn 
dian,  fuppciiing  that  he  would  makd  re* 
fiftance,  and  be  more  than  his  match, went' 
to  the  door  and  brought  three  of  his  com*^ 
rades,  and  the  four  bound  him'  I  wasr 
led  to  the  door,  fainting  and  tremblihg  ; 
there  ftood  my  friend  Labarree,  bound  j- 
pbenezer  Farnfworth,  whom  they  found 
up  chamber,  they  were  putting  in  th6 
fame  fituation,  and  ta  complete  the  {hock- 
ing fcene,  my  three  Httle  children  were 
driven  naked  to  the  place  where  I  ftood« 
On  viewing  myfelf  I  found  that  I  too  wis^ 
naked*  An  Indian  had  plundered  three 
gowns,  who,  on  feeing  my  fltuation,  gav<j 
me  the  whole.  1  afkdd  another  for  a  pet- 
ticoat, but  he  refuted  it.  After  whatlittle 
plunder  |heir  hurry  would  allow  them  to 
get,  was  confufedly  bundled  up,  we  were 
ordered  to  march.  After  going  about  20 
rods  we  fell  behind  a  rifing  ground,  where 
we  halted  to  pack  the  things  in  abetter 
manner  ;  while  there,  afavage  went  back 
as  we  fuppofed  to  fii*e  the  biiildingp.— 
Farnfworth  propofed  to  my  hufband  to 
go.  back  with  him,  to  get  a  <}uantit;j^  of 


!  i : 


'■U-J'i 


m- 


^ 


CAFTIVITY   dF 


pork  fffom  the  cellar,  to  helj^  us  on  out? 
journey  ;  but  Mr.  Johnfon  pi^udctitly  re- 
plied^ that  by  that  meaiisy  tlie  Ijadians: 
Hiigfal:  find  the  rum,  and  in  a  tit  of  intoxi-. 
cation.  jikiU  us  alL  The  bidtan  prefently 
iB^uraed  wilh'  inai%s  of  fear  in  his  coun^ 
Icnancc,*^  and  we  were  Jiui^ricd  on  with 
:|I1  yiolence;  Two  fivages  laid  hold  ot 
^ach  of  my  ai»ms v  and  h  m- pi  e .  J  m  e  t h  rough 
tEhoirnjf  thicketsjin  a  mcA  uniHcrciful  man*; 
1^0.  I  loft  a  ilioe  and  fiifier ed  exceedingly. 
We  heard  the  alarm, guns  fnom  the  fort. 
'JhSs  added  new  ipeed^t^  the  fligjitof  the 
ii^ya^i^s;  'I'hey  were  apprehcniive  that 
j(t|ldiers"  mig^t  be  tent  iop  our  i:eUet, — • 
Whejfi^^WiK  hadgiota  mile  and  a  half,  my 
^invtncfa  i^bli^ed  me  io  fit  'l'hi«  heitig 
ottf^rvedby  a)[j  Indian,  he  drew  his  Jtmfe, 
^Sfuppofed,  taput  an  eH4  to  my  ejLift- 

*'Thi4,  as  we  afterwards  &UQd>  was  oci^afioned 
i^y  hk  meeting  Mv.  Ofraer  at  tho  door  of  the  houfei 
who  lodged  in  ths  chamber,  and  h^d  fc^creted  him- 
icIjP  behind  a  box,  aiiid  vvas  iheu  making  hts  efcape. 
iSc-^mti  direftiy  t>  the  fort,  md  the  alarm  ^uns  were 
£;M.  My  father^  Mr.  M-'fcR  Wnari,was  thenf^y-- 
(>nd;  in  commands  C^pt.  Scevens  was  for  (Ullying 
6ut  with  a  paity  for:  our  relief  j  Imt  my  fatiier  l>*g- 
^edrhim  to  de{ift,as:.the  Indians  made  it  an  invaria* 
^i)e^a(^«t't9  ](ill  th^ir  j^nibntrt:  when^  atmok^ 


ence. 

whicl 

ed  m< 

my  h 

boun 

oblige 

all  ou 

derec 

the  d 

genei 

we,  a 

a^pet 

bread 

hadt 

were 

horfe 

the  ri 

ehas^ 

dianfi 

prev< 

expr 

poin 

hufb 

affift 

cau^ 

Byl 

ed  \ 

Mr. 


out 


Mrs.  jo  HNS  ON.- 


39 


ence.    But  lie  only  cut  fome  T>Jindv  wltfe' 
which  my  gown  was  tied,  andtheh^piiflM' 
ed  me  on.   My  little  children  were  cfylttgj ' 
my  hufband  and  the  other  two  mtii  were* 
bound,    and  my  fiftef  and  myfelf  Wete 
obliged  to  make  the  bell  of  our  way,?5^itn^ 
all  our  might.     The  Ibfs  of  my  dhbe  rdfli' 
dered  travelling  extremely  pdiinfuJ,     At 
the  diftance  of  three  miles  there  was  a 
general  halt ;  the  favages,  fuppofiifg  that 
we,  as  well  as  themfelves,  might  have  ah; 
appetite  for  breakfaft,  gave  us  a  loaf  df 
bread.;forae  raifins  and  apples,  which  they" 
had  taken  from   the  houfe*     While  wc 
were  forcing  down  our  fcanty  breakfaftj^a^ 
horfe  came  in  fight,   known  to  us  all  ly* 
the  name  of  Scoggin,  belohgmg  to  Phiiff-'^ 
ehas   Stevens,   Efquire.     One  of  the  III-; 
dians  attempted  to   fljoot   him,   but  was* 
prevented  by  Mr.  Johnfon.     Theyjthcii* 
expreffed  a  wifh  to  catch  him,  fayi^g^?}]!^ 
pointing  co  me,  for  fquaw  to  ride  j  t$iM^ 
hufband  had  previoufly  been  unbqiind  to^ 
a/lift  the  children,  he,  with   two  Indiaifsv 
caught  the  horfe  on  the  b^nks  of  the  river.- 
By  this  time  my  legs  and  feet  were  covdr- 
ed  with  blood,  which   being  no  iced   by; 
Mx»  JLabarree,  he,  with  that  humanity 


C.A:PTIVI<tY   OP 


ftjgiclj^gs  fi^-  piH^6Dte4  tkem  to  me,  and^ 
th^  ]p[^l^U^;gaye  1^  a  pair  of  mpggafons. 
Bftgi  ^4  v^bfe^fejts  wore  thrown  over 
Sco|^^,.  «md  1  mountj^d  on  the  top  af 
th^lpv^d  ofi  we  lugged  abo^t  fevcn  miles, 
tp  tl^ej^^r  end  ol  WifcottV  Ifland.-r- 
IX^i^  th<;i;^  Mtedv  and  prepared  to  crofs 
t|i(^  river  ;^  rafjta  w^re  made  of  dry  tim- 
biqr^**-two  IndiaBS  and  jarnfworth  crofled: 
fffk^l^;^pSirj^Gefhy  iigns,  got  permiSion  to 
^im  tliehorie,&  Mr.  Johnfon  was  allowed 
t^/wim  by  the  raft  that  I  was  on,  to  piiifli 
h^ong.  We  all  arri^ved  lafe  on  the  oth» 
Cjf  ^de, of  l}|e  river,  s^bout  four  o^clock  in 
tJ^f  fl'ternc^n  i  a  fire  was  kindk^^  aiid' 
fo^  of  their  ^pl^n  kettles  were  jbung. 
ti^T  }f^  i^ii^^  Ped  with  pomdge*  IfSit 
Sty^^B^  rtqojc.  delight  in  viewing  dieijr^ 
i^il^  whieih'*  aiDfouitted  to  forty  or  fifty 
pjDHndil  in  vaiuc.  They  then,  with  a  true- 
i^y^giP  yell^  g^ve  thfi^ar  whoop,^  and  bid 
dejfiance  t<>^daQger.  As  our  tarry  in  this 
jibce  ^fted  an  hour,  I  had  time  to  reflcd 
4n  ourniiierable  iit^atipn.  (Q^ipliv^s,  in 
the  power  ^f  unmerciful  faivages,  without; 
provi{ia&/and  almoft  witb|)ur  clothes,  hiM 
i#il4tr»efe  where  we  muftfgjourfl  as  lon^ 


Johnfo 
dians  a 
been  a 
of  dan 


Mrs.    JOHNSiON. 


ng 


cjn 


as  the  childnei^  ^^f  ifrael  ^did^  .for  ouuh/c  we 
knew,  and  (w^hat  added  to  our  dffbefiy 
not  one  of  our  ikva^e  mafters  oduld  un* 
derlland  a  w<\ird  ot  iin^Uih.    Mete^  after 
being  hurrii^d  i^0m  ho0ia  with  f^ch  9^* 
pidity,  I  ha^e  leifure  ^o  infoitm^  tbc^retd- 
er  r^ipcfting  ovr  Indian  mait^r^;    Thiey 
were  deyea^  in  nuttibtr^  men  .of  ^niiddle 
age,  except  one,  a  yautiv  of  ^:»te6fi|  wbo 
in  our  jo'virn.cy   dlfcovcred  a  ^very  mif- 
.chie\?ous  and  ^troublefome  .difpofition.^^ 
According  to  their  njational  {>ra£tice,  he 
whofiril  l^id  liands  on^^pxifoner,  cptiiid* 
ered  bim   as  hid^  property^    Mj  jKnafter, 
who  wasthe:One'.that.toQkmy;haHd^«(rhdii 
I  fat  on  the  bed,  was  as  chv^t  m  lodtaiii 
as  evi^r  I  law  -,  he  eve^  evinced^  at  49A|^» 
roustitnes^  a  difpofition  ;that  JSntwed  W 
was  hy  j^  ineans  ^oid   of  conip^rfBom-*- 
The  jfoiir,.  who  took  my  hu(ba{id,,ctalnied'^ 
him  aa  their  prop<M:ty,arid.my  lifter,  three 
:Children,  Laharree  and  Fa,rnlwprth,  bad 
each  a  nxaft^r-    When  .the  tone  cam^  for 

*  Mr.  Liibaireeis  v^y  ppfitive,  and  I  tfiirik  Mn 
Johnf<Mx,was  of  ^h^.fi«i!n6  opinion,  that  feveptecn  Xn* 
dians  atiacked  the  houfe ;;  the  other  fix  inight;have 
been.a  fcouting  panyi  tiiat  watched  tAi  we^erjijOut 
cf  dailg^,  axrd  tiitir  t(>oIr  anotli^  rout;-        -^ ' ;  ^ 


"t^^ 


W 


(it 


3f 


GAPTI.VITY    or 


JXB  to  jiroparc  to  march,  I  almoft  expired 
at  thie  thought.      To  leave  my  aged  pa- 
rents^ -brodx^rs^  fiAers   acnd.  iriends,  and 
:travci  with  favages,  through.a  difmal  tor- 
cft  to  unknown  Kegions,  jifi;  the  alarnung 
fitmatidn  L  then  was  in,  M^iih  three  imai) 
children,*  the  eldcft,  Sylvanus,  who  was 
but  fix  years  oldir    My  eldeH  daughter, 
iSufenna,  was  four,  and  Polly,  the  other, 
two.     My  filler  Miriam  was  fourteen. — 
-My  hulband  was  barefoot,  and  otherwile 
.^thinly  clothed  ;  his  malUr  bad  taken  his 
-jacket,,  and  nothing  but   his  Ihirt  and 
,  trowfers  remained.     My    two  daughters 
had  nothing  but  their  ftifts,  and  I  only 
thfe  gown  that  was  handed  me  by  thefav- 
-  ages.     In  addition  to  the  fufterings  which 
varole  frommy  own  deplorable  condition, 
-1  coula  not  but  teel  for  my  friend  Labar- 
*  ree  ;  he  had  left  a  wife  and  four  fmall 
-children  behind,  to  lament  his  lois,  and  to 
/  rcn<  cr  his  fituation  extremely  unhappy. 
'With  all  thefe   misfortunes  lying  heavily 
upon  me,  the  reader  can  imagine  my  fit- 
uation.     The  Indians    pronounced    the 
dreadful  word  "  munch^**  march,  and  on 
we  muft  go.     I  was  put  on  the  horfe,  Mr. 
Johnfon  took  one  daughter,  and  Mr.  Lab- 


K  piled 
•d  pa- 
ss, and 
lal  tor- 
rming 
I  fmail 
io  was 
ighter, 
other, 
:,een. — 
lerwile 
&en  his 
irt  and 
jghters 
I  1  only 
he  fav- 
;  which 
dition, 
L^ibar- 
r  ftnall 
and  to 
happy, 
heavily 
my  fit- 
fed    the 
and  on 
•fe,  Mr. 
X.  Lab- 


IV^Rs.  JOHNSON.  37 

if  ree,  being  unbound,  took  the  other  ;— 
wc  went  Tix  or  eight  miles  and  (lopped 
for  the  night.  Tlie  men  were  made  fc- 
cure,'  by  havinp,  their  legs  put  in  fpHt 
fticks,  lomewhat  like  flocks,  and  tied  with 
cords,  which  were  tied  to  the  limbs  of 
trees  too  high  to  be  reached.  My  lifter, 
much  to  her  mortification,  muft  lie  be- 
tween two  Indians,  with  a  cord  thrown 
over  her,  and  paffing  under  each  of  theih  j 
the  little  children^  had  blankets,  and  I  was 
allowed  one  for  my  ufe.  Thus  we  tpok 
lodging  for  the  night,  with  the  iky  for  a 
covering,  and  the  giound  for  a  pillow* 
The  fatigues  of  the  preceding  day  obliged 
me  to  fleep  feveral  hours,  in  fpire  of  the 
horrors  which  furrounded  me.  The  In- 
dians obferved  great  filcnce,  and  never 
fpokc  but  when  really  neceflary,  and  aJJ- 
the  prifoners  were  difpofed  to  fay  but  1}^:^ 
tie  ;  my  children  were  much  more  peac^, 
able  than  cowld  be  imagined,  gloomy  fear, 
impofed  a  deadly  filerice. 


D 


M,«l 


(  'k 


i« 


CAPTIVITY    &f 


CHAP.    II. 


Hrftsry  of  our  "Journey  through  theWildemefs^ 
till  ice  Mftie  to  the  wtiter-t  ihat  enter  Lake. 
Cbamplain. 


I 


N  the  morning  we  were  roufed 
before  funrife,  the  Indians  ftruck  up  a 
fire,  hung  on  their  ftolen  kettles,  and 
ftiade  us  fome  water  grud  for  breakfaft. 
After  a  few  fips  of  this  meagrefare,  I  was 
again  put  on  the  horfe,  with  n>y  hufband 
tjy  my  fide,  to  hold  me  on.  My  two  fel- 
low  prifoners  took  the  little  girls,  and  we 
marched  forrowtully  on  for  an  hour  or 
two,  when  a  keener  dilirefs  was  added  to 
my  multiplied  afHi^ions  ;— I  .wais  taken 
with  the  pangs  of  child-birth.  The  In- 
dians  fignlfiea  to  us  that  we  muft  go  on 
to  a  brook;  When  we  got  there,  they 
fhewed  fome  humanity,  by  making  a 
booth  for  me.  Here  the  compaiEonatc 
reader  will  drop  a  frelh  tear,  for  my  inex- 
preffible  diftrefs  ;  fifteen  or  twenty  miles 
from  the  abode  of  any  civiUzed  being,  ia 
the  open  wildernefs,  rendered  cokl  by  :i^ 


Mrs.  jo  HNS  on. 


39 


Tainyday-in  one  of  the  moft  perilous 
hours,  and  unfupj^lled  with  the  leaft  neceil 
fary,  that  could  yield  convenience  in  th^ 
hazardous  moment.  My  children  were 
crying  at  a  diftance,  where  th^-wer^  hcljd 
by  their  mafters,  and  only  ray  hufband 
and  lifter  to  attend  me  :  none  but  moth" 
crs  can  figure  to  themfelves  mj  unhappy 
fortune.  The  Indians  keptj?  aloof  the 
whole  time.  About  ten  o'cla<|6{f  rfaugh*- 
ter  was  born.  They  then  brought  me 
feme  articles  of" clothing  6^r'the  child^ 
which  they  had  taken  from  the  houfe. 
My  mafter  looked  into  the  booth,  and 
clapped  his  hands  wicli  joy,  crying  two 
monies  for  me,  two  monies  for  me.  % 
was  permitted  to  reft  the  remainder  of 
the  day.  The  Indians  were  employed  in 
itiaking  a  bier  for  the  prifoners  to  carry 
me  on,  and  another  booth  for  my  lodging 
durin^^  night.  They  brought  a  needle 
and  two  pins,  and  fome  bark  to  tie  the^^ 
child's  cloches,  which  they  gave  my  fifter, 
and  a  large  wooden  Ipaon  to  feed  it 
with  ;  at  dulk  they  mafde  fome  porridge, 
md  brought  a  cup  to  fteep  fome  roots  in, 
which  Mr.  Labarree  had  provided.  In 
the  evening  I    was  removed  to  the  f\tsi 


I.'     ^ 


m 

W.j  'ft 


JfO 


CAPTIVITY   Oil 


booth.  For  fupper,  they  made  more  por- 
ridge and  fome  Johnny  cakes.  My  por- 
tion was  brought  me  in  a  little  bark. 
1  flepi  that  night  far  beyond  expedla- 
tion. 

In  the  morning  we  were  fummoned, 
for  the  journey,  after  the  ufual  breakfaft, 
of  meal  and  water.  I,  with  my  infant 
in  my  arms,  was  laid  on  the  litter,  which 
was  fupported  a:lternately  by  Mr.  John- 
fon,  Labarree  and  Farnfworth.  My  fiftei: 
and  fon  were  put  upon  Scoggin,  and  the 
two  little  girls  rode  on  their  mafter's 
backs.  Thus  we  proceeded  two  miles, 
when  my  carriers  grew  too  faint  to  pro- 
ceed any  further.  This  being  obferyed 
by  our  {able  matters,  a  general  halt  was 
called,  and  they  embodied  themfelves  fot 
council.  My  matter  fpon  made  ligns  to 
Mr.  Johnfor^  that  if  I  could  ride  on  thq 
horfe  I  might  proceed,  other  wife  I  mutt 
be  left  behind.  Here  I  obferved  marks  of 
*pity  in  his  countenance,  but  this  misht 
arife  from  the  fear  of  lofing  his  two  mon- 
ies, r  preferred  an  attempt  to  ride  on 
the  horfe,  rather  than  to  perifh  miferably 
alone.  Mr.  Labarree  took  the  infant, 
and  every  ttep  of  the  horfe  almoft  depriv- 


ed 

con 
fen 
cou 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


41 


td  me  of  life.      Ttfy  ^e?:k  and  he!plefs 
condition  rendered  n>c>  in  a  degree,  in. 
fenfihle  to  every  thing   ;  niy  poor  child 
could  hive  no  fuftenance  fronrf  my  breaft^ 
and  was  fiipported  entirely  by  water  gru- 
el.   My  other  littk  children^  reridered 
peevlfli  by  an  xineafy  mode  of  riding,  ^ft- 
en  burft  into  cries,  but  a  furly  check  from 
their   mailers  foon  filenced  tUem.     We' 
proceeded  on  with  z  flow,  mournful  pace. 
My  weaknefs  was  too  fevereto  allow  me 
to  fit  on  the  horfe  long  at  a  time  j  every 
hour  t  \vis  taken  of^  and  laid  cm  the 
ground  to  reft.     This  prefer\red  my  life 
during  the  third  day.    At  -oight  we  found 
Ourfelves  *t  the  bead  of  Black  River  Pond. 
Here  we  prepared  to  fpend  the  night,  but 
fupper  confifted  of  gruel  and  the  broth  of 
a  hawk,  they  had  killed  the  preceding  day. 
The  prifoners   were  fecu'^ed,  as  ufual,  a 
boothwas  madefor  me,  and  all  \^ent  to 
reft.     After  encampment,  we  entered  in* 
to  a  fliort  converfation.     My  fitter  obferv- 
ed,  that  if  I  could  have  been,  left  behind, 
our  trouble  would  have  been  feemingly 
nothing.      My   hulband    hoped,  by  the 
affiiianCe  of  jirovidence,  nve  {hould  all  be 
prrferv^d.    -Mr.  Labarree  pitied  Ws  poor 


I   1 


'"  f 


42. 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


family — and  Fai:nfworth  fuinmed  the 
whole  of  his  wiflies,  by  faying,  that  if  he 
could  have  got  a  layer  of  pork  from  the 
cellar,  we  fliould  not  be  in  fear  of  ftarva- 
tion.  The  night  was  uncommonly  dark,' 
and  puffed  tedioufly  off. 
^■■'■■'  In  the  morning,  half  chilled  with  a 
cold  fog,  we  were  ordered  from  our  pla- 
ces of  reft,  were  offered  the  lean  fare  of 
rineal  and  water^  and  then  prepared  for 
the  journey  ;  every  thing  refembled  a  fu- 
lieral  prOc  -flion.  The  favages  preferved; 
their  gloor«y  fadnefs— the  priipners,  bow-- 
ed  down  with,  grief  and'  fatigue,  felt  little 
difpolition  to  talk  ;  arid  the  uneven nefs  of 
the  country,  Ibmetirnes  lying  in  miry 
plains,  at  others  rifing  into,  lleep  and  bror 
ken  hills,  rendered  our  paffage  hazard- 
ous, and  pai n ful  .  Mr.  Laba rree,  kept  th c 
infant  in  hi^  arms,  and  preferved  its  life. 
The  fifth  day's  journey  Was  an  unvaried 
jfcenc  of  fatiguct  The  Indians  fent  out 
twa  or  three  hunting  parties,  who  return- 
ed without  game.  As  we  bad  in  the 
morning  confumed  the  laft  morfel  of  our 
meal,  every  one  now  began  to  be  feriouf- 
ly  alarmed  ;  and  hunger^  with  all  its  hor« 
rar^,  )fy)hed  us  earneftly  in  the  face.     At' 


iiight, 

Lake 

heigh 

and  tl 

whicl 

They 

iiung< 

llefti: 

embe 

fatiati 

the  V 

ofthi 

yet  t 

parts 

civili 

ed  rii 

them 

is  iai( 

danc( 

elfte 

mucl 

a  nu 

me  a 

moft 

Afte 

brig 

mea 


l\: 


iU  ••'•,■*,. 


.V^      iwi'-  i    »i. 


iiiV      ll.lLV4 


^X[ 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


43 


iiight,  we  found  the  waters  that  run  into 
Lake  Champlain,  which  was  over  the 
height  of  land  ;  before  dark  we  halted, 
and  the  Indians,  by  the  help  of  their  punk, 
which  they  carried  in  horns,  made  a  fire. 
They  foon  adopted  a  plan  to  relieve  their 
hunger.  Fhe  horie  was  fliot,  and  his 
lieih  was  in  a  few  moments  broiling  on 
embers,  and  tihey,  witli  native  gluttony, 
fatiated  their  craving  appetites.  To  ufe 
the  term  politenefs,  in  the  management 
of  thisrepaft,  may  be  thought  a  burlefque, 
yet  their  offering  the  prifoners  the  bcft 
parts  of  the  horfe,  certainly  bordered  om 
civility  ;  an  epicure  could,  not  have  carter^ 
ed  riicer  flicesj  nor  in  that  Ittuation  ferved 
rhem  up  wit  a  more  neatnefs.  Appetite 
is  faid  to  be  the  beft  fauce,  yet  out  abuni 
dance  of  it  did  not  render  favary  this  nov^ 
elfteak.  My  childreti,  however,  eat  too 
much,  which  nude  them  very  unwel  for 
a  number  of  days.  Broth  was  made  for 
me  and  my  cliild,  which  was  rendered  al- 
liioft  a  liixury  by  the  feafoning  of  roots. 
After  fuppej^,  countenances  began  to 
bfiffhten  r  thofe  who  had  reliflicd  the 
meal  exhibited;  new  ftrength,  and  thofe 
who  had  only  ihuffed  its  effluvia,  cottfdT-I 

\'  ■  •      '  #  ^  '  r      «.  .• 


.v.fj 


■■nq 


It  V|i 


'44 


Captivity  o? 


ed  themfelves  regaled  ;  the  evening  wa^ 
employed  in  drying  and  fmoking  what 
remained,  for  future  ufe.  The  night  was 
a  fcene  of  dittreiling  fears  to  me,  and  my 
extreme  weakners  had  affecled  my  mind 
to  fuch  a  dei^ree,  that  every  difficulty  ap- 
pcared  doubly  terrible.  By  the  afliitance 
^f  SrOgfrin^  I  hid  i;pen  brought  fo  far,  yet 
fb  grc^t  was  my  debility,  that  every  hour 
1  was  take^  off  and  laid  on  the  groiirtd, 
to  keep  me  from  expiring.  But  now, 
alas  !  this  conveyance  was  no  more.  To 
'Walk  was  impoflible.  Inevitable  death,  ia 
the  midft  of  woods,  one  hundred  mUesi 
ifeide^  ap  [  leared  my  only  portion. 


one 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


■45 


CHAP.    in. 

(!mtinuationy-r~tili  our  arrival  at  %aji  Bay, 
in  Lake  Champlain.  ' 


T 


N  the  morning  of  the  fixth  (Jay, 
the  Indians  exerted  themfelves  to  prepare 
one  of  their  greateft  dainties.  The  mar- 
row bones  of  old  Scoggin  were  pounded 
for  a  foup,  and  every  root,  both  fweet  and' 
bitter,  that  the  woods  afforded,  was 
thrown  in  to  give  it  a  flavor.  Each  one 
partook  of  as  rnuch  as  h,is  feelings  wouldt 
allow.  The  war  whoop  then  refounded, 
with  an  infernal  yell,  and  we  bega,n  to  fix 
for  a  march.  My  fate  was  unknown,  till 
my  mafier  brought  fome  bark,  and  tied 
my  petticoats,  as  high  as  he  fuppofed 
would  be  convenient  for  walking,  and  or- 
dered nie  to  "munch."  With  fcarce 
ftrength  to  ftand  alone,  1  ^tnt  on  half  a 
mile,  with  my  little  fon  and  three  Indians.' 
The  reft  were  advanced.  My  power  to 
move  then  failed,  the  world  grew  dark, 
and  I  dropped  down.     I  had  fi^ht  enouglx 


'■m 


■  m 


'«V 


CAftlVITY    69 


1- 


4..- 

I 


to  fee  an  Indian  lift  his  hatchet  over  my 
head,  while  my  little  fon  fcreamed,— 
**  Ma'am  do  go,  for  tiiey  will  kill  you.*' 
As  I  fainted,  my  iaft  thought  was,  that  I 
Mhould  prefently  be  in  the  world  of  fpirits. 
"When  I  awoke  my  mafter  was  talking  an- 
grily with  the  favage,  who  had  threaten* 
ed  my  life.  By  his  geftiires  I  could  learn, 
that  he  charged  him  with  not  afting  the 
fconorahle  part  of  a  warrior,  by  an  at- 
tempt  to  deftfoy  the  prize  o*^  a  brother, 
A  whoop  was  given,  for  a  halt.  My  maf.- 
ter  helped  me  to  the  reft  of  the  company^ 
where  a  council  was  held,  the  refult  of 
which  was,  that  my  hufband  ftxould  v/alk 
by  my  fide,  and  help  me  along.  This  he 
did  for  fome  hours,  but  faintnefs  then 
overpowered  me,  and  Mr.  Johnfon's  ten- 
dernefs  and  folicitude,  was  unequal  to  the 
talk,  of  aiding  me  further  ;  another 
^council  was  held— while  in  debate,  as  I 
Jay  on  the  ground,  gafpihg  for  breath > 
iny  mafter  fprang  towards  rae,  with  his 
hatchet.  My  hufband  and  fellow  prifon- 
ers  grew  pale  at  the  fight,  fufpefting  that 
he  by  a  fingle  l^low,  would  rid  themfclves 
of  fo  great  a  burthen  as  myfeif  But  he 
had  yet  tCK>  much«efteem  for  his  "two 


••*», 


Mrs.  JOHNSON.  \y: 

ihonies/'  His  objed  was  to  get  bark  from- 
a  tree,  to  nidkc  a  pack-faddle,  for  my  con* 
veyance  on  the  back  of  my  hufband.— ^ 
He  took  me  up,  and  we  marched  in  tliat 
form  the  reft  of  the  day.     Mr.  Labarree 
Hill  kept  my  infant,  Farnfworth  carried 
one  of  the  little  girls,  and  the  other  rode 
with  her  mafter  ;  tKey   were  extremely 
fick  and  Weak,  owing  to  the  large  portion 
of  the  horfe,  which  they  eat  ;  but  if  they 
uttered  a  murmuring  word,  a  menacitjg 
frown  from  the  favages,  foon  impofed 
filencc.    None  of  the  Indians  were  difpb* 
fed  to  Ihew  infults  of  any  nature,  except 
the  youngeft,  which  I   have  before  men* 
tioned.     He  often   delighted  himfelf,  by 
tormenting  my  lifter,  by  pulling  her  baiFj 
treading  on  her  gown,  and  numerous  oth* 
er  boyifli  pranks,  which  i«irere  provoking 
and  troublefoHie.     We  moved  on,  faint 
and  wearily,  till  night ;  thi  Indians  then 
yelled  their  war  whoop,  built  a  fire,  and 
hung  over  their  horfe  broth,     ^fter  iup- 
pcr,  my  booth  was  built,  as  ufual,  aiid  I 
repofed  much  better  than  I  had   the  pre- 
ceding nights. 

In  the  morning,  I  found  myfelf  great- 
ly r^ftored.    Wif  lOut  the  aid  of  phyii- 


1^ 


■M«^  '.S 


/ 


48 


■h 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


cians,  or  phyfic,  nature  had  began  tlie 
cure  of  that  weaknefs,  to  which  Ihe  had 
reduced  me,  but  a  few  days  before.  The 
reader  will  be  tired  of  the  repetition  of 
the  fame  materials  for  our  meals  ;  but  if 
my  feelings  can  be  relUzed,  ho  one  will 
turn  with  difguft  from  a  breakfeft  of 
fteaks,  which  were  cut  from  the  thigh  of 
a  horfe.  'After  which,  Mr.  Johhfon  was 
ordered  to  take  the  infant,  and  go  for- 
ward with  part  of  the  company.  I 
"  munched**  in  the  rear  till  We  came  to  a 
beaver  pond,  which  was  formed  in  a 
branch  of  Otter  Creek.  Here  I  was  obli- 
ged  to  wade ;  when  half  way  over,  up  to 
the  middle  in  cold  M'ater,my  little  ftrength 
failed,  and  my  power  to  fpcak  or  fee  left 
me.  While  motionlefs  and  ftiffened,  in 
the  middle  of  the  pond,  I  was  perceived 
from  the  other  fide,  by  Mr.  Johnfon,  who 
laid  down  the  infant,  and  came  to  my  af- 
fiftance  %  he  took  me  in  his  arms,  and 
when  the  tppofite  fide  was  gained,  life  it- 
felf  had  apparently  forfaken  me.  The 
whole  company  ftopped,  and  the  Indians, 
with  more  humanity  than  I  fuppofed  them 
poffeffed  of,  bufied  themfelves  in  making 
a  fire,  to  warm  me  into  FJe,    The  warm 


*         Mrs.    TOIINSON. 


40 


influence  of  the  fire  rdtored  mv  e:?linuft- 
ed  llrcngth,  by  dcgrec^s  ;  and  in  two 
hours  I  WAS  told  to  munch.  The  i  e(l  of 
the  day  I  v/as'  carried  by  my  huibund. — - 
In  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  wc  arrived 
on  the  banks  of  one  of  the  great  branches 
of  Otter  Creek.  Here  we  halted,  and 
two  favages,  who  had  been  on  a  hunting 
fcout,  returned  with  a  duck  ^a  fire  was 
made,  which  was  thrice  gratcrul  to  my 
cold  fhivering  limbs.  Six  days  had  now 
almoft  elapfed,  fince  the  fatal  morn,  in 
which  we  were  taken,  and  by  the  bleffing 
of  that  Providence,  whofe  fmifes  give  life 
to  creatioti ,  w^e  v/ere  ftill  in  exiftenee.—- 
My  wearied  hufband,  naked  children,  and 
helplefs  infant,  formed  a  fcene  that  con- 
veyed feverer  pangs  to  my  heart,  than  all 
the  fufferings  1  enclured  myfelf.  The  In- 
dians were  fullen  and  filent,  the  prifoners 
were  fw^ollcn  with  gloomy  grief,  and  I 
was  half  the  time  expiring.  After  my 
feelings  were  a  little  quickened  by 
warmth,  my  fad  portion  was  brought  in 
a  hark,  confiding  of  the  Duck's  head,  and 
a  giil  of  broth.  As  I  lifted  the  unfavory 
norfcl,  with  a  trembling   hand,   to  my 

n?outh,  I  call  my  thoughts  back  a  few 

E 


'  R^i 


Jo 


Captivity  6* 


days,  to  a  time  wlien,  from  a  board  plen- 
tifully fpread,.in  my  own  hcmfe,  I  eat  my 
toou  with  a  mtiTy  heart.  The  wooden 
ipoon  dropped  iVcm  iT>y  feeble  hand.  The 
contn^ft  Vv'as  too  aftefting.  Seated  on  a 
ragged  rock,  bere^ah  a  hemlock,  as  I  then 
was  ;  eir.aciated  by  ficknefs,  and  fur- 
lounded  by  my  weeping  and  diftreffed 
family,  \^q  w  ere  hclyjlefs  prifoners,  def- 
pair  woula  lave  robbed  me  of  life,  had  I 
not  put  my  wliole  confidence  in  that  Be- 
ing who  has  pefwer  to  fave.  Our  matters 
begar  to  prepare  to  ford  the  ftream.  I 
fwallowed  moftofmy  broth,  and  was  ta- 
ken up  by  my  hufl"iand.  The  river  was 
very  rapid,  and  pafling  dangerous.  Mr* 
Labarree,  when  halt  over  with  my  child, 
was  tripped  up  by  its  rapidity,  and  loft 
the  babs  in  the  water  ;  little  did  I  expedt 
to  fee  the  poor  thing  again,  but  he  fortu- 
nately reached  a  corner  of  its  blanket^ 
and  iaved  its  life.  The  reft  got  fafe  v.: 
the  other  fhore — another  fire  was  buiit 
and  my  filler  dried  the  infant,  and  i its 
clothes.  ^ 

lit  RE  v/e  found  a  proof  of  Indian  0 - 
gacity,  which  miglit  juftly  be  fuppofer^ 
»ot  to  belong  to  a  band  of  rambling  bar- 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


>^ 


J» 


Ijarlans.     In  their  journry  over  to  Con- 
rficlicut  River,  tlxey  had,  ia   thisi  place,. 
k,lUed  a  bear.     The  entrails  were  dcaixf* 
ed,  and  filled  with  ths  tat  of  the  antirtial, 
md  Cufpended  from  trie  limb  of  a  tree   ; 
by  it  \yas  depofited  a  bag  of  flour,  aiid 
fome  tobacco,  ail  which  was  defigned  for 
future  ftores,  when  travelling  i^hat  way, 
Nothini^  could  have  been  offered  more  ac- 
ceptable,  than  thefe  tolcens  of  Indian  ccon-. 
omy  and  prudence.     The  flour  was  made 
into  puddingj  and  the  bear  greafe  fauca 
was  not   unrelilhlng.     Broth  was  madc^ 
and  wall   feafoned    with  fnakeroot,  and 
thofe  wIkx  were  fonvd  of  tobacco  had  each 
their  (hire.    Th^  whole  formed  quite  % 
fumptuous  entertainment.    But  thefe  fav* 
age  dainties  made  no  feniible  addition  ta 
our  quota  of  happinefe.     My  weafcnefs  in- 
creafed,  my  children  were  very  unwell, 
and  Mr.  Jdhnfon's  fituation  was  truly  dit 
treffing.      By   travelling  barefoot,   over. 
fuch  a  length  of  foreft^  and  fupportingj 
me  on  his  ihoulders,  his  feet  were  render- 
ed fore,  beyond  dtfcription.     I  cannot 
C^xprefs  too  much  gratitude,  for  Mr.J^ab* 
arree's  goodneis.     Mj  infant  was  his  fofe 
^h^rge,  and  he  fupported  it,  by  pieces  of 


I  ',■  i 


i}a\ 


yi 


5« 


Captivity  of 


/■ 


the  horfeflefh,  which  he  kept  for  it^s  ufe, 
which  by  being  firft  chewed  in  his  own 
ITiourh,  and  then  pnt  into  the  child's  af- 
forded it  the  neceifciry  nutriment.  After 
jftipper,  my  booth  was  made,  the  evening 
yell  was  founded,  and  we  encamped  for 
the  night.  By  this  time  the  favages  had 
relaxed  puft  of  their  watchfulnefs,  and 
•^egan  to  be?  carelefs  of  our  efcapinc*'.-— 
Labarree  and  Farnfworth  were  liighdy 
bound^and  my  hufband  had  all  his  iibertv. 
My  lifter  could  fleep  without  her  two  In- 
iiian  companions,  and  the  x'^  hole  coaipa- 
iny  appeared  lefs  like  prifoners. 

In  the  rnorning  oi- the  tjighth  day, 
we  were  roufed  at  funrife.  Although  the 
early  part  of  September  is  generally  blelf- 
ed  with  a  ferene  fky,  and  a  warm  fun, 
yet  we  fuffered  exceedingly  by  the  cold. 
The  mornings  were  damp  and  foggy,  and 
the  lofty  trees,  and  numerous  nK)untains, 
often  excluded  the  fun  till  noon.  Our 
fnakeroot  broth,  enriched  with  flour, 
made  a  rare  brcakfaft,  and  jxave  a  little 
ftength  to  our  exhaulled  limbs.  Orders 
came  to  "munch/*  My  poor  hufband 
took  me  iipon  the  pack  faddle,  and  ws 
Ireailumed    our    march.      Long    before 


1^1 


Mr5.  J[OHNSaN. 


53 


Right,  defpondency  had  ftriklngly  plftur* 
^d  every  couQtenancc  My  little  fon, 
who  had  performed  the  whole  journey 
on  foot,  was  almoft  lifelefs.  Mr.  Johnibn 
was  emaciated,  and  almoft  exhauftcd  ;-^ 
often  he  laid  me  on  the  ground  to  favc 
his  own  life,  and  mine  ;.  for  my  weaknfefs^ 
was  too  great  to  ridf  far,  without  requjir-? 
itig  reft.  While  proftrate  upon  the  earth, 
aiid  able  to  Ijpeak,  i  often  begged,  him  to 
leave  me  there,  to  end  a  life,  which  cbuld 
laft  but  a  ihort  time,  and  would  take  hk 
with  it,  if  he  continued  his  exertions  ta 
feve  me ;  but  the  idea  was  too  ihocking, 
we  continued  our  journey,  in  a  flow,  for-^ 
rowful  mood,  till  night.  Qften  did  I 
meafure  a  fmall  diftance  for  the  fun  to 
run,  before  I  muft  bid  it  an  eternal  adieu. 
But  the  fame  Providence  who  had  brought 
us  fo*  far,  and  inclined  our  favage  maf&rs 
to  mercy,  continued  my  proteftor.— ^* 
Farnfworth  carried  me  a  fmall  diftance, 
and  at  laft  darknefs  put  an  end,  to  oms 
painful  day's  journey.  After  the  cuftom- 
iry  refreflimert,  we  went  to  reft.  The. 
night  WaS  terrible  ;,  the  firft  part  was* 
Egryptian  darknefs,  then  thu!^der,  and 
Uehtaiagji  andrain.     On  tl^  Qold  csctl^ 


54 


CAPTIVITY    OP 


withotit  a  cover,  our  fituatibn  may  he 
imagined,  but  not  defcribed.  The  In- 
dians gave  m^  an  adJiuonal  J^i'ankct  for 
rny  ufe,  and  Ihewed  fome  concern  for  my 
,  welfare  ;  but  it  will  ever  (land  lirli  among 
itiodern  miracles,  that  my  life  was  ipared. 
•■  Thk  nfiorning  came,  and  a  bright 
fmi  reanimated  our  drowned  fpirits.  The 
whole  company  now  refembled  a  group 
of  ghofts,  more  than  bodily  forms.  Lit- 
tle did  I  expccl:  that  the  light  of  another 
day  wotiid  witnefs  my  exiilence  ;  fenli- 
ble.  that  if  mv  own  fad  difeafcs  did  not 
finifh  my  exiftence,  my  huiband  would 
be  reduced  to  the  woful  alternative,  of 
cither  perifhing  with  me,  or  leaving  me 
in  the  woods  to  preferve  his  own  life.— 
The  horrid  yell  was  given,  which  was  a 
fignal  for  preparation.  Melancholy  fat 
heavily  on  every  countenance,  and  the 
teat  'bf  woe  moiliened  the  fickened  cheek 
of  every  prifoner.  In  addition  to  famine 
Ihd  fatigue,  fo  long  a  journey,  without  a 
flioe  for  defence,  had  lacerated  and  man- 
gled every  foot,  to  a  fliocking  degree; 
•travelling  ;«iras  keenly  painful.  The  fcan-^ 
ty  brcakftift  was  fbrved  up  ;  as  I  was  litt- 
iiig  my»]^ij^f  birotb  to  my  cold  lips,  v/n 


me. 


niu 


Mrs.    JOHNSON- 


« 


flialler,  with  a  rafh  hand,  pulled  i^  from 
me,  and  give  it  to  my  huQ:)and,  qbferving 
by  figns,  that  he  required  all  the  iuilen- 
ance,  to  enable  him  to  carry  me.  I  yield- 
ed, on  the  fupporuioa  that  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  little  confequeace,  whether  any 
thing  was  bellowed  to  that  body  which 
mull  foon  mingle  with  its  original  clay. 
With  forrow  arid  anguifh^  we  began  the, 
ninth  day's  journey.  Ikfore  we  proceed* 
ed  far,  the  Indians  fignihed  to  us,  that  we 
Ihould  arrive,  before  night,  at  Eaft  Bay, 
on  LakA*^  ""Hamplain.  This  was  a  cordial 
to  oiir  V  ;0pin^  fpirits,  and  caufed  an 
immediate  traaiition  from  defpair  to  joy  y 
the  idea  of  arriving  at  a  place  of  water 
carriage,  tranflatedf us  to  new  life.  Thofe 
who  languiflied  witfiT  licknefs,  fatigue  or 
defpair,  now  marched  forward  with  ner- 
vous alacrity.  Two  Indians  were  fent  on 
a  hunting  fcout,  who  were  to.  meet  us  at 
the  Bay,  with  canoes.  This  feafortable 
and  agreeable  intelligence,  had  every  pot 
fible  effecl:  that  was  good  y  we.  >^alkecl 
with  greater  fpeed,  felt  lefs  of  the  journey, 
and  thought  little  of  our  diftreifes. — >' 
About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  the. 
waters   of  the  Lake  were  fi?cn,  from  a 


:«-:? 


■M- 


55 


GAPTTVITY    o* 


«!'■■'■ 


ne\ejW')onng  eminence  ;  we  foan  gained 
the  bank,  where  we  found  the  two  In- 
dians, with  four  c^moes,  and  a  ground 
lijuirrel  ;  afire  was  built,  and  fome  food 
p^jt  in  preparation.  Here  my  feelings,, 
which  had  not  been  exhilarated  io  much 
as  the  reft  of  my  fellow  prifoners„  were 
buoyed  ibove  defpiir,  and,  for  a  fliort 
time,  th*^  pangs  of  diftrefs  loft  thpir  influ- 
ence. The  life,  which  nine  days  painful 
faSering  in  the  wildernefs,  had  brought 
to  iuUft  moment  of  duration,  nowftart* 
ed  into  new  exiftence,  and  rendered  the 
hour  I  fat  on  the  fhoce  of  Lake  Champlain 
one  of  the  happied  I  ever  experienced* 
IJere  we  were  to  take  paffage,  in  bdats, 
and  find  relief  from  the  thorny  hills  and 
Hiiry  fwamps  of  the  damp  defart.  My 
hulband  could  now  be  relieved  from  the 
burden^  which  had  brought  him  as  nigh 
eternity  as  myielf^  My  little  childrea 
would  loon  find  clothing,  and  all  my  fel- 
Ipw  fufferers  would  be  in  a  condition  to 
attain  for*.  J  of  life's  conveniences.  Twelve 
hours  failing  would  waft  us  to  the  fettle- 
ments  of  civilized  Frenchmen.  Confid- 
cring  hov^  much  we  had  endured,  few  will 
deen^,i|:kf^,,tjiaii,a,mii\ade^  that  we  were 


In- 
lund 
pood 

uch 


Mils.    JOHNSON. 


57 


ftlll  amon|T  the  living.  My  fon,  of  fix 
years  old,  had  walked  barefoot  the  whole 
journey.  Farnfworth  was  ftioelefs,  and 
carried  my  eldeft  daughter,  l^abarree 
had  to  carry  and  preierve  the  lifg  of  my 
infant.  My  fitter,  owing  to  her  yout!^^ 
and  health,  had  fuifered  the  leaft.  My 
two  little  daughters,  with  only  their  fliifiSj 
and  part  of  one  of  the  three  gowns, 
which  the  favage  gave  me,  were  lubject 
to  all  the  damps  of  morn  and  night ;  and 
Ml*.  Johnfon's  fituatioft  was  pifiably 
painful  ;  the  fatigue  of  carrying  me  on 
the  wearying  pack  faddle,  liad  rendered 
his  emaciated  body  almoft  a  corpfe,  and 
Ijis  fore  feet  made  him  a  cripple.  The 
Indians  had  been  farprifingly  patient,  and 
often  difcovered  tokens  of  humanity.' 
At  every  rne^l  we  all  fliared  equal  with 
them,  whether  a  horfe  or  a  duck  compo- 
fed  the  bill  of  fare,  and  more  than  once 
they  gave  me  a  blanket,  to  fheltor  vi\q  iroxt\ 
a  thunder  ftorm. 


w* 


If'f 


FV'^ 


■  C    A'> 


'tt  - 


K  v-m" 


.an 


ss 


CAPTIVITY   m 


■^ 


e  H  A  R    WL 


W?0^  ^^^  L^^e  to  Crown  Palht^jfromthetkw 
^^  H  5t,  yohns — Chamblee — and  to  St  Fran* 
eis*  Village. 

1.  "WILL  only  dctaiix  the  reader 
%  lew  moments  longer  in  this  place,  while 
i  eat  the  leg  of  a  woodchuck,  and  then 
rcqueft  hitn  totake  a  night's  failing  in  the 
canoe  with  n>e  acrofs  the  Lak^.  Though 
Ifincerely  wifli  him  a  better  paffage  than 
I  had.  No  fooner  was  our  repaft  finifti* 
ed,  than  the  party  were  divided  into  four 
equal  parties,  for  pafl^e.  In  my  boa.t 
were  two  favages,  bcfides  my  fon  and  in- 
fant, twas  ordered  to  lie  flat  cmtheboti 
torn  of  the  canoe,  and  wfeen  pain  obliged 
me  to  move  for  relief,  I  had  a  rap  from  a 
paddle.  At  day  break,  we  arrived  at  a 
great  rock,  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Lake„ 
where  we  ftopped  and  '  '"Ht  a  fire.  The 
Indians  went  to  a  Frenc  houfe,  not  fai: 
diflant,  and  got  feme  meat,^^  bread,,  and 


Mrs.    JOHNSON, 


5> 


green  corn.  AJthough  we  were  not  al- 
lowed to  tafte  the  mea£,y^t,  by  the  grate- 
ful effluvia  of  the  broiling  fteak,  we  were 
finely  regaled,  and  the  bread  and  toait 
torn,  Were  a  kutury. 

Heke  the  favagcs,  for  the  ffrft  time, 
gav«  loud  tokens  ofjoy,  by  hallooing  and 
yelling  in  a  tremendous   manner.     The 
pri&ners  were  now  introduced  to  a  new 
ichoo!.     Little  did  we  expeft  that  the  ac- 
cotnpliftiment  of  dancing  would  €ver  be 
taught  us,  by  the  lavages.    J&tit  the  wir 
daijee  muft  now  be  held  ;  andfivery  prif* 
oAer  that  could  move,  muft  take  it«  awk- 
ward fteps.     The  figure  confifted  of  ciroa- 
lar  motion  round  the  fire  ;  each  fang  his 
own  mufic,  and  the  beft  dancer  was  the 
one  moft  violent  in  motion.     The  prifon- 
ers  were  taught  each  a  ifong,  mine  was, 
danna  witchee  natchepung  ;  my  fpn's^vas 
narwifcumpton.     The  reft  I  cannot  recoi- 
led.    Whether  this  talk  was  imposed  on 
us  for  their  diverlion,  or  a  religious  cere- 
monial, I  cannot  fay,  but  it  was  very  pain- 
ful and  offenfive.     In  the  forenoon,  feven 
Indians  came  to  us,  who  were  received 
with  great  joy  by  Our  matters,  who  took 
grf-^t  pleafure  la  introducing  their  ^rif- 


li 


6o 


CAPTIVITY    ot 


oners.  Thenar  dance  was  again  held  ; 
we  were  obliged  to  jolix,  and  fing  our 
fongs,  while  the  Indians  rent  the  air  with 
infernal  yelling.  We  then  embarked  and 
arrived  at  Crown  Point  about  noon.- — 
-Each  prifoner  Was  then  led  by  his  tnafter 
to  the  refidencc  of  the  French  command- 
er. Ihe  Indians  kept  up  their  infernal 
yelling  the  whole  time.  We  were  order- 
ed to  his  apartment,  and  ufed  with  that 
hofpitality  which  characterizes  the  beft 
part  of  the  nation.  We  had  brandy  in 
profufion,  a  good  dinner,  and  a  change  of 
linen.  This  was  luxury  indeed,  after 
what  we  had  fufferedi  for  the  want  of 
thefe  things.*  None  but  ourfelves  could 
prize  their  value.  We,  after  dinner,  were 
paraded  before  Mr.  Commander,  and  un- 
derwent examination,  after  which  we 
werefliewn  a  convenient  apartment, whej:c 
we  refided  four  days,  not  fubjeft  to  thr 
jurifdidion  of  our  lavage  mailers.  Her 
we  received  great  civilities,  and  maiv,- 
prefents.  I  had  a  nurfe,  who  in  a  grc;*: 
meafure  reftored  my  exhaulled  ftrengtl  . 
My  children  were  all  decently  clothec  ., 
and  my  infant  in  particular.,  The  iir-i 
day,  while  I  was  taking  a  nap,  they  drciC- 


-y-^  . 


Mrs.     JOHNSON. 


6i 


ed  it  fo  fantaftically,  a  la  France,  that  I 
refufed  to  own  it,  when  brought  to  my 
bedfide,  not  gueffing  that  I  was  the  moth- 
er of  fuch  a  Itrange  thing. 

On  the  fourth  day,  to  our  great  grief 
and  mortification,  we  were  again  deliver- 
ed to  the  Indians,  who  led  us  to  the  water 
fide,  where  we  all  embarked  in  one  veffel 
for  St.  Johns.  The  wind  {hifted,  after  a 
fliort  fail,  and  we  dropped  anchor.  In  a 
little  time  a  canoe  came  along  fide  of  us, 
in  which  was  a  white  ^oman,  who  was 
bound  for  Albany,  Mr.  Johnfon  begged 
her  to  fliop  a  few  minutes,  while  he  wrote 
to  Col.  Lydius  of  Albany,  to  inform  him 
of  our  fituation,  and  to  requefl  him  to  put 
the  fame  in  the  Bofton  newfpapers,  that 
our  iriends  might  learn  that  we  were 
alive.  The  woman  delivered  the  letter 
ancf  the  contents  were  publiflied,  which 
conveyed  the  agreeable  tidings  to  our 
friends,  that  although  prifoncrs,  we  were 
then  alive* 

•    .  *■ 

The  following  letter,  in  return  for 

the  one  we  fent  to  Col.  Lydius,  was  the 

firft  we  received  from  New-England  : 

F 


%  it  I 


( 


€% 


CAPTIVITY   or 


?IR, 


Albany,  Nov.  5, 1754 


T  RECEIVED  yours  of  rhc  ^th  Oftober, 
with  a  letter  or  two  for  New-England, 
^vhich  I  have  forwarded  immediately,  and 
tiave  wrote  to  Boftdn,  in  which  I  urged 
the  governnieirt  to  endeavor  youT  and 
-family's  redemption  asfoon  asconvenien- 
cy  would  admit* 

I  AM  quite  fbrry  for  your  doleful  mis- 
fcrtune,and  hope  the  juft  God  will  endue 
'you  with  patieriie  to  undergo  yotir  trou- 
bles, and  juil!y  ufc  his  rewards  on  the  evil 
db«rsand  authors  of  your  misfortune. — 
¥refcnt  my  fervice  ft)  alithelprifoners  with 
you,  from  him  who  fubfcribes  himfelf  to 
be  your  very  humble  fervant, 

JOHN  W.  LYDIUS. 
'Lieut*  jfAJ^MS  JoHNSQi^j  MmtreaL 

After  a  difagreeable  voyage  of  three 
days,  we  made  St,  Johns,  the  16th  of  Sep- 
tember,  where  we  again  experienced  the 
politenefs  of  a  French  commander.  I  with 
my  child,  was  kindly  lodg^^d  in  the  lame 
room  with  himfelf  and  lady.  In  the 
morning  we  ftill  found  misforttme  tread- 
ing clofe  at  our  hecls^ — we  muft  again  b- 


Mrs.     JOHNSON. 


^S^ 


)ber, 
and, 
,  and 
rged 
and 
nien- 

mis- 
ndue 
trou- 
5  evil 
ae. — 
with 
df  to 

IS. 

three 
Sep' 
the 
with 
lame 
[  the 
read' 
.inb' 


delivered  to  ourfavage  mafl:ers>  and  take 
another,  paffagein  the  boats  for  Chamblec,., 
v/hen  \vithin  three  miles  of  which^  Labar-. 
ree,  myfeif  arjd  child,  with  our  two  maf-. 
teri,  were  put  on  fllore  ;  we   were  igno*. 
rant  of  our  deftiny,  and  parting  fsom  my 
hufband  and   friends,  was  a  feyere  trials 
without  knowing  whether  we  were  ever 
to  meet  them  again.     We  walked  onto 
Chambiee  ;  here   our  fear^  were  diifipa^ 
ted,  by  meeting  our  friends.    In  the  gar- 
rifon  of  this  place,  we  found  all  the  hofpi- 
tality  our  neceiSties  requirx^d.     Her«  for 
the  firil,  after  my  captivity,  I  lodged  on  a 
bed.    Brandy  was  handed  i?bout   in  large 
bowls,  and  we  lived  in  high  ftyle;     The 
next  morning  we  were  put  in  the  cuftody 
of  our  old  mailers,  who  took  u^  to  the 
canoes,  in  which  we.had   a  painful  voy- 
age that  day,  and  the  fcUowine.  night  to 
Sorell ;  where  we  arrived   on   tlie  i  gth. 
A  hofpitable  friar  came  to  the  fhore  to  fee, 
us,  and  invited  us  to  his  boufc  ;  be  gave 
us  a  good  breakfaft,  and  drank  our  better 
jiealths,  in  a- tumbler  of  brandy -^.ije  took, 
companionate  notice  of  my  child!, %nd  or- 
dered it  fame  fuitable  food.     But  the  In* 
diajLi^  hurried  us   ofF  before  it  could  eat.. 


k'f' 


: 


1) 

w 

Ik 


;i... 


^4^ 


CAPTIVITY    OP 


He  then  went  with  us  to  the  fliorc,  and 
ordered  his  fervant  to  carry  the  food,  pre- 
pared for  the  child,  to  the  canoc,where  he 
'  waited  till  1  fed  it.  The  friar  was  a  very 
s^enteel  man,  and  i^ive  us  his  benediction, 
at  parting,  in  feeling  language.  We  then 
rowed  on  till  the  middle  of  the  afternoon, 
when  we  landed  on  a  barren  heath,  and  by 
the  help  of  a  fire,  cooked  av.  Indian  dinr 
ner  ;  after  wliich  the  war  dance  was  held, 
and  another  infernal  yelling.  The  prif- 
oners  were  obliged  to  fing,  till  they  were 
hoarfe,  and  dance  round  the  fire. 

We  had  now  arrived  within  a  few 
miles  of  the  village  of  St.  Francis,  to  which 
place  our  mailers  belonged.  Whenever 
the  warriors  return  from  an  excurxion 
^gainft  an  enemy,  their  retufil  to  the  trib^ 
or  village  muft  be  defignatcd  by  warlike 
ceremonial  ;  the  captives  or  fpoil,  which 
may  happen  to  crown  their  valor,  muft  be 
conducted  in  a    triumphant  form,  and 

decorated  to  every  poflible  advantage 

For  this  end  we  muft  now  fubmit  to 
painting ;  their  vermiilion,  with  which 
they  were  ever  fupphed,  was  mixed  with 
bear's  greafe,  and  every  cheek,  chin  and 
forehead  muft  have  a  dafh,     Wc^  then 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


6s. 


Jiuvved  on  within  n  nile  of  the  town, where 
we  ih')pped  at   a  French  houfc,  to  dine  ; 
the  prifc^nei  s  were  fervcd  with  foup  mea^ 
gre  and  bread.     After  dinner,  two  fava- 
ges  proceeded  to  the  village,  to  carry  the 
Ijlad  tidings  of  our  arrival.     The  whole 
atmofjphere  foon  refou>ided  from  every 
quarter,  with  whoops,  yells,  (hrieks  and 
icreams.     St.  Francis,  from  the  noife  that 
came  from  it,  might  be  luppofed  tiie  cen- 
tre of  Pandemonium.     Our  mailers  %^  ere 
ijot  backward,  they  made  ev/^ry  rerponie. 
they  poiiibly  cduld.     The  whole  time  we 
were  faiUng  from  the  French  houfe,  tiic\ 
noife  was  direful  tobe  heard.     Two  hours, 
before  funfet,  wc  can^e  to  the  landing,  at 
the  village.     No  fooncr  had  wc  landed^^ 
than  the  yelling  ir|  the  town  was  redoub- 
led, a  cloud  of  favages,  of  all  fizes  andifex-, 
es,  foon  appeared  running   towards  us  ;^ 
when  theff  reached  the  boats,  they  form- 
ed thenofeives  iata  a  long  parage,  leaving 
a  fmall:  fpace,  thraugh   which  wc  muft 
pafs.     Each  Indian  then  topfc  his  prifoner 
by  his  hand,  and   after   ordering  him  to^^ 
l^ng  the  war  fpi^g,  began   tio^.march  thro* 
the  gauptlet. .    Wc  eicpefted  a  faycrie  beat- 


66 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


agreeably  difappointed,  when  we  found 
that  each  Indian  only  gave  us  a  tap  on  , 
the  flioulder.  We  were  led  diredly  to 
the  houfes,  each  taking  his  prifoner  to 
his  own  wigwam.  When  I  entered  my 
mailer's  door,  his  brother  faluted  me 
with  a  large  belt  oi  wampum,  and  my 
mailer  prefented  me  with  another.  Both 
were  put  ov^r  my  flioulders,  and  croffed 
behind  and  before.  My  new  home  was 
not  the  mod  agreeable  ;  a  large  wigwam 
without  a  floor,  with  a  fire  in  the  centre, 
and  only  a  few  water  veffels  and  difhes,  to 
eat  from,  made  of  birch  bark,  and  tools 
for  cookery,  made  clumfijy  of  wood,  for 
furniture,  will  not  be  thought  a  pleafing 
reiidence  to  one  2^ccuftomed  to  civilized 
kie. 


'A 


,T^'--'f>#  . ; 


^^p/t'Y^ 


^  :i.. 


:■.>, 


4 


Mrs.    JOHNSOl^. 


fi? 


CHAP.     V. 


Rejidence  at  St.  Francis.     Sale  of  mcfi  of  the 
Pr  if  oners  to  the  French^  and  lieniovul  ,ta 

MontreaU      '         f -  '  •. 

?-■-■.       ■  ■   -■  I-.       .    -.,  ■  f  .,, 


Ni 


IGHT  prefently  came,  after 
bur  arrival  at  St.  Frards.  Thofe  wha 
have  felt  t&e  gloomy,  homefick  feelings^ 
which  fadden  thofe  hours  which  a^  youth 
paffes,  when  fir  ft  from  a  feather  *s  h&ufe, 
may  judge  of  part  of  my  fufFerings  ;  but 
when  the  reft  of  my  circumftances  are  ad* 
ded,  their  conc^tion  muft  fall  infinitely 
ftiort.  I  now  found  myfelf,  with  my  in^ 
fant,  i]n  a  large  wigwam,  accompaniecj 
with  two  or  three  warriolrs,  and  as  many 
fquaws,  where  I  muft  fpend  the  night,  and 
perhaps  a  year.  My  fellow  ptifonersi 
were  difperfed  over  the  town  ;  each  one> 
probably,  feeling  the  fame  gloominefai 
with  myfelf.  Hafty  pudding  prefently 
was  brought  forward  for  fupper.  A  ipa-j 
cious  bowl  of  wood,  well  filled,  was  place4 
\\x  a  central  fpot,  and  eack  one  drew  *neAC' 


4  f*  \ 


%. 


\4r\ 


65- 


CAPTIVITY   OF 


with  a  wooden  fpoon.  As  the  Indiana 
liever  ufe  feats,  nor  have  any  in  their  wig- 
wams, my  awkwardnefs  14  talking  my  po- 
fitioii,  was  a  matter  of  no  fmall  amufe- 
ment  to  my  i^ew  companions.  The  fqija ws 
firft  fall  upon  their  knees,  and  then  fit 
back  upon  their  heels.  I'his  was  a  po£» 
ture  that  I  coijld  not  imitate.  To  fit  iiii 
My  other,  was  thought  by  them  indeli- 
cate and  unpolite.  But  ladvanced  to  my 
puddiflgj  with  the  belt  gtficc  I  could,  not^ 
however,  efcaplng  fome  ot  their  funny  re^ 
naa-rks.  When  the  ht>ur  tbr  flcep  came 
Ctk^  fw  It.  would  be  improper,  to  call  it  bed- 
time,, where  beds  were  mi,  1  was  pointed 
tcxa  pfetfbrm,  raifed  ftalf  a  yardj,  where 
tj(pon  a  board,  covered  \v,i^t  ha  blanket,  I 
vt^s  to  pafs  the  night.  The  Indians  threw 
H&emfelves  down,  in  various  parts  of  the 
fttrildi^^i'n  a  manner  that  more  refembled 
<jWrs,^i3ia{hed,j  than  human  beings,  in  a 
pMh  Ih  the  morning,  our  brjsakfaft 
^»fifted  of  the  relkks  of  the  kft  night  f 
ij!^^  ilftcr  came  to  fee  me  in  the  forenoon, 
afid*  we  f|>ent  lome  hours,  in  obfervations 
t^jtjn  oui»  toationt  while  wafliing  fomc 
atpjaijel,  at  ar  Uitle  bro(^.  Iti  the  after-. 
^if<|FT?ij|^ Pwith.  my  bfant^^  w»^.tat«a 


Mrs.  JOHNSON.' 


^9 


grand  parade,  where  we  found  a  large  col- 
lection of  the  V  illage  inhabitants  ;  an  a- 
ged  chief  ftcpped  forward,  into  an  area, 
and  after  every  noife  was  filenced,  and  ev* 
cry  one  fixed  in  profound  attention,  he 
began  to  harangue  ;  his  manner  was  fol- 
cmn — his  motions  and  expreflion  gave 
nie  a  perfeft  idea  of  an  orator.  Not  a 
breath  was  heard,  and  every  fpeclator 
feemed  to  reverence  what  he  faid.  After 
the  fpeech,  my  little  fon  was  brought  to 
the  oppofite  iide  of  the  parade,  and  a 
number  of  blankets  laid  by  his  fide.  It 
now  appeared  that  his  mafter  and  mine 
intended  an  exchange  of  prifoners.  My 
mafter  being  a  hunter,  wiflied  for  my  Ion, 
to  attend  him  on  his  excurflons.  Each 
delivered  his  property  with  great  formal, 
ity  J  my  fon  and  blankets,  being  an  equiv- 
alent for  Kij^felf,  child  and  wampum.  I 
was  taken  to  the  feoufe  of  my  hew  maf- 
ter, and  found  my/eif  4^i^d  to  the  firft 
family  ;  my  mafter,  wf}ok  name  was 
Gill,  was  fon4n-law  to  the  gr.'?i>d  fachem, 
was  accounted  rich,  had  a  ftore  oP^Oods, 
and  lived  in  a  ftyle  far  above  the  majorky 
of  his  tribe.  He  often  told  me  tliat  her 
had  an  Engliih  heart,  but  his  wife  was 


to 


eAPTIVITY    OF. 


J 

\ 

\ 

1 

1^ 


tmc  Indian  blood.  Soon  after  my  arrival 
at'  his  houfe,  the  interpreter  came  to  in- 
form nie  that  I  was  adopted  into  his  femW 
ly.  I  was  then  introduced  to  the  femily,, 
arid  was  told  to  call  thcin.  brothers  and 
lifters.  I  made  a  ihort  reply^  exprcffive 
of  gratitude,  for  beir^g  introduced  to  a 
houfe  of  high  r^ink,  and  requefted  their 
patience  while  1,  fhpuld  learn  the  cuftoms 
of  the  nation.  Thi}>  was  fc^rce  ovcrj  whea. 
the  attention  of  tlie  village  wascalled  to 
the  grand  parade,  to  attend,  a  rejoicings 
occafioned  by  the  arrival  of  fome  warriors, 
who  had  brought  fome  fcalps,  l^hey  were 
carried  In  tr'umph  on  a  pole.  Savage 
butchery,  upon  murdered  countrymen  { 
The  fight  was  horrid.  As  I  retired  to 
xhy  new  refidence,  I  could  hear  the  favage 

fells  that  accompanied  the  war  dance.— ^ 
fg^nt  the  night  in  fad  refl^ftion. 

My  time  now  was  iblitary  beyond 
(Jefcription  ;  my  new  fifters  and  brothers^, 
treated  me  witlt  the  fame  attention  that 
they  did,  their  natural  kindred,  but  it  was. , 
an  unnatut-al  fituation  to  me.  I  was  a 
aovjce  at  making  canoes,  bunks,  and 
tumplines,  which  was  the  only  occupaiioa 
of  the  fq.ua ws  ^  qi  courfe,  idjeaeisr  wa»  ar 


¥ 


^ 


Mrs.    JOHNS- 


7« 


tnong  my  calamities.  My  fellow  prifon- 
^rs  were  ^s.glooniy  as  iriyfelf  ;  ignorant 
-^jehether  they  werelto  fpend  •their  days  in 
this  inactive  viUagc^  to  be  carried  into  a 
^^ar  campaign,  to  vilaughter  their  icoun- 
trymen,  or  to  be  dragged  to  the  cold 
Lakes  of  the  north,  in  a  hunting  voyage* 
We  viiited  each  other  daily,  and  fpent  our 
time  in  conjeduring  our  future  detliny. 

The  fpace  of  forty -two  years  having 
elapfed,  fince  my  relidence  in  St.  Francis, 
it  is  impoffibk  to  gi^  the^eader  a  minute 
detail  of  events  that  occurred  whik  there; 
many  of  them  are  fiill  fereibly^Uipreffed 
upon  my  memory,  but  dates  and  particu- 
lars are  now  inaccunitely  treafured  up  by 
faint  recolle6tion.     Mr.   Johnfon  tarried 
but  a  few  days  with  me,  before  he  was 
carried  to  Montreal,  to  be  fold.     My  two 
daughters,  filler  and  Labarree,  were  ibon 
after  carried  to  the  fame  place,  at  differ- 
ent times.      Farnfworth   was  carried  by 
his  mafter,  on  a  hunting  fcout,  but  not 
proving  (b  aftive  in  the  chafe  andambufh 
as  they  wiflicd,  he  was  returned  and  fent 
to  Montreal.     1  now  found  an  increafc  to 
my  trouble,  with  only  myfon  and  infanr^ 
in  this  ftrange  land,  without  aprofpcftof 


w 


ii 


il 


■  7- 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


H 


relief,  and  with  all  my  former  trouble  ly- 
ing heavy  upon  me,  clifappointment  and 
defpair  came  well  nigh  being  my  execu- 
tioners. In  this  dilemma,  who  can  ima- 
gine my  diftrefs,  when  my  little  fon  came 

^  running  to  me  one  morning,  fwollen  with 
tears,  exclaiming,  that  the  Indians  were-il 
going  to  carry  him    into  the   woods  to 

-'hunt  ;  he  had  fcareely  told  the  piteous 
ftory,  before  his  maftercame,  to  pull  him' 
away  5  he  threw  his  little  arms  around 
me,  begging  in  the  agony  of  grief,  that  I. 
would  keep  him.  *l  he  inexorable  fa vage. 
iinclen<||ed  his  liands,  and  forced  him 
away  ;  the  lall  words  I  heard,  intermin- 
gled with  his  cries,  were.  Ma'am  I  {hall 
never  fee  you  again.  The  keennels  of  my 
pangs  almoil  obliged  me  to  wilh  that  I 
had  never  been  a  mother.  Farewel,  Syl- 
vanu'^,  fard  I,  God  will  preferve  you. 

It  was  now  the  I  rth  of  October. — 
Forty  five  days  had  paffed  fince  my  cap- 
tivity, and  no  profpecl  but  what  was 
darkened  with  clouds  of  misfortune.  The 
unealinefs  occaiioned  by  indolence,  was  in 
fome  nieafure  relieved,  by  the  privilege 
of  making  fliirts  for  my  brother.  At  night 
and  morn  I  was  allowed  to  milk  the  cows. 


ble  ly- 
it  and 
cxecu- 
n  ima- 
II  caxne 
n  with 
5  wereiJ 
ods  to 
piteous 
Lill  him* 
around 
that  L 
lavaffe^ 
d   him 
:ermin- 
i  1  Ihall 
s  of  my 
1  that  I 
el,  Syl- 
►u. 

")ber. — 
ly  cap- 
at  was 
e.  The 
was  in 
rivilege 
It  night 
e  cows. 


Mrs,    jOHNSbN. 


73 


The  reft  of  the  time  I  ftroUed  gloomily 
about,  lookiiis:  fometimes  into  an  unfocia* 
ble  wigwam,  at  others  fauntering  into  the 
buflies,  and  walking  on  the  banks  oi 
brooks.  Once  I  went  to  a  French  houie> 
three  miles  diftant,  to  vilit  fom6  friends  of 
iFiy  brother's  family,  where  I  was  enter- 
tained politely  a  week  :  at  another  time, 
I  went  with  n  party  to  fifli,  accompanied 
by  a  number  of  fquaws.  My  weaknefs 
obliged  me  to  reft  often,  which  gave  my 
companions  a  poor  opinion  of  aic  j  but 
they  Ihewed  no  other  refentment,  than 
calling  me  "  no  good  fquaw,"  which  was 
the  only  reproach  my  fitter  ever  gave, 
when  1  difpleafed  her.  All  the  French  in- 
habitants I  formed  an  acquaintance  with, 
treated  me  with  that  civility  which  dif- 
tinguiflies  the  nation ;  once  in  particular, 
being  almoft  diftrafted  with  an  aching 
tooth,  I  was  carried  to  a  French  phyfician, 
acrofs  the  river,  for  relief.  They  prevail- 
ed on  the  Indians,  to  let  me  vifit  them  a 
day  or  two,  during  which  time,  their 
marked  attention  and  generofit|r  claims 
xay  warnlett  gt*atitudc.  At  parting,  they 
expreffed  their  earned  wifhes  t6  have  me 


vifit  them  again. 


G 


74 


CAPTIVITT    Of 


St.  Francis  contained  about  thirty  wFj- 
"Vi^ams,  which  were  thrown  difordcrly  inl6 
a  clump*    ThcMewas  a  church,  in  which 
mafe  was  held  ejfery  night  and  nioining, 
and  every  Sunds^  the  hearers  were  funi- 
moned  by   a  bell  ;    and  attendance  was 
pretty   general.      Ceremonies  were  per- 
formed by  a  French  friar,who  lived  in  the 
xnidft  of  them,  for  the  laWation  of  their  | 
fotils.     He  appeared  to  be  in  that  glace, 
what  the  kgillAtive  branch  is  in  civil  gov-] 
crnments^  and  th^e  grand  fachem  the  ex- 
ecutive.    The  inhabitants  lived  in  perfeft 
Karmony,  holding  moft  of  their  property 
in  common.    They  were  prone  to  indo- 
lence, when  at  home,  and  not  riemarkable 
for  neatne/s.     1  hey  were  extremely  m^od-^l 
eft,  aTid  apparently  averfe  to  airs  of  court- 
ihip,     Necefltty  was  the  only  thing  tliat 
called  them  to  a<3:ion  ;  this  induced  them 
to  plant  their  corn,  and  to  undergo  the 
fatigues  of    hbnting.      Ferhaps    I    am 
wrong  to  call  neceffity  the  only  motive  ; 
reyenge,  which  prompts  them  to  war,  ha^ 
great  power.    I  had  a  numerous  retinue 
of  relations,  whom  I  viQted  daily  ;  but 
my  brother's  houfe,  being  one  of  the  moft 
decent  in  the  village^  I  ^ed  &U  ^s  well 


Mm.    JOHNSON. 


7S 


st'ltome.  Am<v<9g  niy  conne»()ns  was  » 
little  brother  febatis,  who  brought  th6 
cows  for  me,  and  took  particular  nolice 
of  mf  child.  He  was  a  fprightly  little 
fellow,  a<fKl  often  atnufed  me  with  feats 
|>erfOriiicd  with  his  bow  and  arrow* 

I'M  the  early  part  of  Noveinber,  Mr. 
johnfon  wrot€  fVom  Montreal,  Teqticfting' 
me  to  prev-ail  o«  the  Indians  to  carry  mc 
to  Montreal,  for  fale,  as  he  had  xnade  pro^ 
vifion  for  that  pu^rpofe.  I  difclofed  ttic 
matter,  which  was  agreed  to  by  niy  broth- 
er and  fifter,  and  on  the  feventli  we  fct 
failia  a  little  bark  canoe.  While  croffing 
Lake  St.  Peters^  we  came  nighJanditig 
<?n  the  ftiores  of  eternky.  The  waves 
were  raifed  to  an  ^enormous  height  by  the* 
wind,  and  often  broke  over  tlie  canoe* 
My  bi  other  and  fitter  were  pale  as  ghofts, 
and  we  all  expetEted  immediate  deftrutVion; 
but  the  arm  of  falvation  was  extended  for 
our  relief,  and  we  reached  the  (liore.  Wtt 
were  four  day s^ in  this  voyage,  and  rereiv- 
ed  obliging  civilities  every  night,  at 
French  lettiemeiits;  on  the  eleventh,  we 
arrived  at  Montreal,  where  I  had  the  fu« 
premc  fatisfadion  of  meeting  my  hufbahd, 
children,  aiKl  friends.     Here  I   had  the 


-'/ 


I 


•r^ 


i 


'■ 


I . 


75 


CAPTIVITY    or 


happlnefs  to  find,  that  all  my  fellow  prif- 
onars  had  been  purchafed,  by  gentlemen 
ot  refpe^lability,  by  whom  they  were  trea- 
ted with  great  humanity.  Mr.  D-u  Quel- 
nc  bought  my  fiftcr,  my  eldeft  daughter 
was  owned  by  three  affluent  old  maids, 
by  the  name  of  JaifTon,  and  the  other  was 
owned  by  the  mayor  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Johnfon  had  obtairxed  the  privi- 
lege pf  two  months'  ahfence  on  parole,  for 
the  purpofe  of  going  to  New-England,  to 
procure  cafh  for   the  redemption  of  his 
famiily  y  he  fat  out   on   his  jouri\ey  the 
day  after  my  arriva^l  at  Montreal.     Mr. 
Du  Quefne  engaged  to  fupply  his  family 
with  ueceffarics,  during  his^  abfence,  and 
was  to  be  recompeufed  at  his  return.    Di- 
reclly  after  his  departure,  I  found  myfelf 
doomed  to  frefli  trouble.     The  Indians 
brought  me  here  for  the  purpofe  of  ex- 
changing me  for  fome  Micanaw  favages, 
a  tribe  with  whom  they    were  at  war  ;  • 
but  being  difappointed  in  this,  they  were 
exorbitant  in  their  demands,  and  refufed  . 
to  take  lefs  than  a  thoufand  livres  for  me 
and  my  child.     Mr.  Du  Quefne  fi.^ed  his 
offer  at  fevcn  hundred,  which  was  utterly 
yefufed  by   my  favage   matters.     Tkeir 


'o  i 


Mrs.     JOHNSON. 


IT 


next  ftfep  was  to  threaten  to  carry  me  back 
4  0  St.  FrancU.     Attcr  half  a  day'^  lurly 
dk^libcmion,  they  concluded  to- take  the 
offcred  fum.     I  was  received  into  Mr.  D\j?  t 
<^efne's  family.     My  joy  at  bang  dcliv*- 
ered  from  favagc  captivity  was  unbound* 
ed.    From  this  pcriad,  Indians  and  fuf- 
ferings  were  no  more  to  torture  me,  or 
jny  family,  except  the  unfortuitat^  S>lva« 
nus.     The  fond  idea  of  libert  y,  hdd  for tli 
its  dazzling  pl€afures,and  the.iguoranis^oC 
future  calamities,  precluded  every  c{oud»( 
that  could   obfcure  its  effulgepce.    0|i 
Mr.  Johnfon'«  journey  to  New-England  I 
refted  all  my  hope,  aud  fek  full   confi« 
dence  in  being  relieved  at  his  return. 

In  juftice  to  the  Indians,  I  ought  to 
remark,  that  they  never  treated  me  with 
cruelty  to  a  wanton  degree  ;  few  people 
have;  iurvived  a  fituation  like  mine,  and 
fevv^  have  fallen  into  tlie  hands  of  favages 
difpofed  to  more  lenity  and  p^tiencc^ 
Modefty  has  ever  been  a  charafteriftic  of 
every  ikyage  tribe  ;  a  truth  which  my 
whole  family  will  join  to  coiToborate,  to 
the  extent  of  their  knowledge.  As  they 
are  aptly  called  the  children  of  nature, 
thofc  wito  have  profited  by  refinement 

G2 


I  '\\ 


m 


M'.:? 


7S*- 


CAPTIVITY   OF 


uiut  education,  ought  to  abate  p:^rt  of  tjh^ 
prejudice,  which  prompts  them  to  loc 
with  an  eye  of  cenfure  on  this  untutored 
race.  Can  it  ht  faid  of  civilized  conquer- 
ors, that  they,  in  the  main,  are  willing  to 
Ihare  with  their  priibners,  the  lad  nut  ion 
of  food,  when  fami;ie  ilares  them  in  the 
♦ace  ?  Do  they  ever  adopt  an  enemy,  and 
ialute  him  by  the  tender  name  of  brother  ? 
A.nd  I  am  jullilied  in  doubting,  whether 
if  i  had  fallen  into  the  liands  of  French 
ibldifcry^  fo  much  affiduity  would  havti 
bc^n  Ihewn,  to  prcferve  ray  life. 


i  . 


■  f 


''      Ji. 


h    ■  ff 


4  .   .     •  1 


»*^ 


\M 

tin 

lf» 

'» lV 

;| 

i- 

'1 

m 

.-♦>. 


*^n>u 


%^ 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


79 


c  H  A  P.   vr. 


Mr.  Jobnfon's  Tour  to  Bojlon,  and  Port/' 
mouth,  and  the  Catajirophe  at  his  return. 
Arrival  at  the  Prifo/i  in  Quebec. 

X.  HE  reader  will  lai^e  me^  aoc^ 
my  family,  under  the  care  or  our  faftor, 
a  fhort  time,  and  proceed  with  Mr.  John- 
fon.  On  the  12th  of  November,  he  fat 
out  for  Albany,  accampanied  by  two  In- 
dians for  pilots,  for  whofe  fidelity  the 
commander  in  chief  was  reiponfible.— 
They  were  to  tarry  at  Albany  till  his  re- 
turn. In  a  Ihort  tim^  I  had  a  letter  from 
Col.  LydiuS^,  informing  me  that  he  had 
fafely  arrived  at  Albany,  and  had  gone  to 
Bofton.  His  firft  ftep  wa.s  to  apply  to 
Governor  Shirley,  for  ilnioney  to  redeem 
his  family,  and  the  EnglilU  p.rifoners. 
Shirley  laid  his  matter  before  the  General 
Affcmbly,  and  they  granted  the  fum  of 
ten  pounds,  to  defray  his!  ^xpenfes.  He 
got  no  ifurther  afEftance  in  Mafiachufetts^ 
UDd  %v^c»dvybd  to,  2.nr\y  V^r  ^^' «'  p:''^^'<'^^i» 


8a 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


merit  of  New-HampHiire.     Gov.  W^nt- 

worth  laid  the  mdtter  before  the  General 

AffcHiWy  ot  tiiat  ftdte^  aiid  the  fum  of 

JT  150  fterling,  was  granted  for  the  pur- 

pofe  of  redemption  of  prifoncrs.     The 

committee  of  the  General  Court  of  New- 

Hampfliire  gave  him  the  fqllqwing  dir 

fcc^ions 

Port/mouthy  n.  h.  Jan,  25, 175^? 

Mr.  ^ames  J0HN6ON — SIR, 

Agreeable  to  your  letter  to  the  Sec- 
retary, of  the  i6th  inftant,  you  hayc  ea- 
clofed  a  letter  to  Coh  Cornelius  Cuyler, 
£fd.  in  ^yhich  you  will  obferve  we  have 
given  you  credit,  for  letters  on  his  ac- 
quaintance in  Canada,  to  furnifti  you  with 
credit,  to  the  amount  of  150  pound^tt^r- 
lingi  \ye  therefore  advife  you  to  pro- 
ceed to  Albany,  and  on  your  arrival  there, 
deliver  thefaid  leuer  to  CoK  Cuyler,  and 
take  fron^  him  fuch  credit  as  h^  fli^U  givef 
you,  on  fpme  abl^  perfon  or  perfons  in 
Canada,  and  when  you  ^re  thn^furniihed, 
you  will  then  proceed  to  Canada,  and 
there  negociate,  in  the  beft  and  moft  fru-^ 
gal  manner  you  can,  the  purchaling  luck, 
and  fo  many  captives,  as  you  niay  hear  of, 
that  have  been  taken  from  any  part  oi 
ibis  province^  taking  c;are  that  the  afore^ 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


Bi 


12 


f;ild  fum  agreeable  to  the  grant  of.thQ 
General  Affembly  here,  be  dillributed,  tQ 
and  for  the  purchaling  all  the  faid  cap- 
tives, that  are  to  be  conae  at,  in  the  moft 
equal  and  exaft  manner,  that  none  may 
be  left  there  for  want  of  their  quota  of 
faid  money.  The  captive's  names,  and 
places  ^rom  whence  taken,  that  we  have 
information  of,  you  have  herewith  a  lift 
of,  for  your  direction.  You  are  to  keep 
an  exaft  account  of  the  diftribution  of  this 
money,  in  order  to  your  future  difcharge. 
If  Col.  Cuyler  (hould  not  be  living,  or 
refufe  you  his  good  offices  in   this  affair, 

you  are  then  to  apply  to  the  Hon. 

Saunders,  Efq.  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Alba- 
ny, or  any  other  perfon  that  can  give  you 
credit  at  Canada,  and  leave  with  them 
our  letter  to.  Col.  Cuyler,  which  fliall 
oblige  us  to  pay  the  faid  fum  or  fums, 
mentioned  in  the  faid  letter,  to  fuch  per- 
fon, and  in  the  fame  way  and  manner,  as 
we  have  obliged  ourfelves  to  pay  him. 
We  are  vour  friends,  * 

THl'lODORE  ATKINSON,^ 

S.  WIBIRT, 

MESHECH  WE  ARE,  i 

BENJ.  SHERBURNE,  juH.j 


>  ConL 


82 


CAPTIVITY   OS 


1  s  fl 


m 


ji  LIST  of  the  Captives,  taken  from  tlye  Trun^ 

ince  cf  New^tiampjhire,  by  the   St,  Framis 

Indians^  in  the  fummer   1754.  ' 

FrQiliChiiriettown,  on  Connefticut  River. 

James  Johnfon,  his  wife,  and  four 

childreR. 

* 

Pet^r  Labarree. 

Ebenezer  Farnfworth. 

Miriam  Willard.  .  t^^^       1^^^^^^^ 

From  Merrimack  River, 
Nathaniel  Malloon,  his  wife  and  three 

children. 
Robert  Barber, 
Samuel  Scribner, 
Enos  Bilhop.  ?    ^ 

In  addition  to  this  letter   of  credit^ 
Goy*^  Wentworth  gave  him  the  foUowingv 
pafiport.  ,. 

Province  ofNeW'HampJhire^  in  New-England* 

Bv  his  Excellency  BeknimgWentwohti?^ 
J/q.  Captain  General,  Governor, and 
Commander  in   Chief,  in  and  over 

l,s,  his  Britannic  Majefty's  Province  of 
New-Hampfliire  atbrcfaid^  and  Vice- 
Admiral  of  the  fame,  and  Surveyor 
General  of  all  his  Majcay's  Woods, 
in  North- America*. ; 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


«3 


Whereas  the  St.  Francis  and  othe^  In- 
dians did,  in  the  rummer  Uft  paft,  capti- 
vate fundry  of  his  Majefty^^s  fubjecls,  in- 
habitants of  this  Province,  and  have,  as  I 
have  been  informed,  fold  the  fame  to  the 
fubj<jfts  of  the  French  King  in  Canada, 
where  they  are  now  detained  in  fervitude; 
and  having  had  application  made  to  me, 
by  Mr.  James  Johnfon,   of  Charleftown, 
within  this  province,  one  of  the  faid  cap- 
tives, who  obtained  leave  to  come  to  this 
country,  in  order  to  purchafc  his  own, 
and  other  captives'  liberty*    For  letters 
of  fafe  paffport,  I  do  hereby  require   and 
command,  all  officers,  civil  and  military, 
as  well  as  all  other  perfons,  that  they  offer 
BO  lett  or   hindrance  to  the  faid  James 
Johnfon,  or  his  company,  but  contrary- 
wife,  that  they  afford  hi|n  all  i^eceffary 
difpatch    in  laid  journey  ihr^    gh  this 
province. 

Anb  I  da  hereby  alio  defir'*,  that  aiJ  his 
Majefly's  fubjecls,  of  his  lev*.?  al  other 
governments,  through  which  the  faid 
johnfon  may  have  occafion  to  travel,  may 
treat  him  with  that  civility  that  beconrcth. 

I  Also  hereby  carncflly  rntreat  the 
Govcrnor*Gencral,  and  all  other  oiEceTa, 


m 


i^'fi] 


S4 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


!i,.li, 


r'inifters  and  fubjefts  of  his  moft  Chnfliaii 
Majefty.  governing  and  inhabiting  the 
country  and  territories  of  Canada  afore- 
laid,  that  they  would  refpeftively  be  aid- 
ing  and  affifting  to  the  faid  James  John- 
fon,  in  the  aforefaid  aegbciation.  Here- 
by engaging  to  return  the  fam6  civility 
andkindnefs,  to  any  of  his  moft  Chriftian 
Majefty's  officers  and  fubjefts,  when 
thereto  requelled,  by  any  of  his  Gover- 
nors or  proper  officers.  In  token t)f  which, 
1  have  caufed  the  public  feai  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New-Hamplhire  aforefaid,  to  be 
hereunto  affixed,  this  z^ili  day  of  January, 
in  the  28  th  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sove- 
reign Lord  George  thefecond,  of  Great- 
Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  Kihg,  De- 
fender of  the  Faith,  &c. 

BANNING   WENTWORTH. 
By  his  Excellcixcy^s  Command^ 

1 HEODORE  ArKiNSt)K^  Scc^y. 

Anno  Domini  1755. 

With  thefe  credentials,  Mr.  Johnfon 
proceeded  with  alacrity  to  Bollon,  procu- 
red Governor  Shirley's  paffport,  and  fet 
forward  to  Worcefter,  on  his  leturn  back : 
while  there,  he  was  greatly  aftoniflied  at 
receiving  the  following  letter  from  Gov- 
ernor Shirley. 


'W<^ 


IMfRS.  JOHNSON, 


85 


Mr*  yOHNSON, 

There  have  fonie  things  happened  iri 
our  public  aflairs^  iince  your  going  front 
Bofton,  with  my  letters  to  the  Governor 
of  Canada,  and  intelligence  come  of  the 
motions  of  the  French  in  Canada,  for  fur- 
ther invading  his  Majefty's  tetritories  oti 
the  frontiers  of  New-York  and  New- 
Hampfhire,  as  make  it  unfafe  for  you,  a^ 
well  as  for  the  public,  to  proceed,  at  pref- 
^nt,  on  your  journey  to  Quebec,  and 
therefore  I  expeft  that  you  do  fotthwith^ 
upon  receiving  this  letter,  return  back^ 
iind  lay  afide  all  tlioughts  ot  going  for-i 
ward,  on  this  journey,  till  you  have  my 
leave,  ot*  the  leave  of  Gevernor  Went- 
worth,  to  whom  1  Ihall  write,  and  inform 
him  of  what  I  have  undertook  to  do  iti 
this  matter,  in  which  his  Mcijefty'i:  fervicd 
is  fo  much  concerned, 

Yoar  friend  andfervant, 

W.  SHIRLEY. 

Mr.  James  Johnson. 
^     On  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  he  return- 
ed with  a  heavy  heart  to  Boftoti,  and  was 
pofitively  ordered  by  Shirley,  to  ftay  till 

further  orders*    His  fituation  now  wa$ 

H 


f,f' 


in 


m 


A   :  HI 


f 


S€' 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


ri'^s 


really  deplorable.  His  parole,  which  was 
only  for  two  months,  muft  be  violated  ; 
his  credit  in  Canada  loft  :  his  family  ex- 
pofed  to  the  malice  of  ^xafperated  French- 
men,  and  all  his  good  profpeds  at  an  end. 
After  ufing  every  exertion,  in  Bofton,  for 
leave  to  recommence  hib  journey,  and 
fpcnding  the  reft  of  the  winter,  and  all 
rhe  fpring,  he  found  his  efforts  were  in 
viin.  During  this  time,  my  fituation 
grew  daily  diftreffing.  Mr.  i)u  Quefne 
made  honorable  provifion  for  myfelf,  lif- 
ter and  child,  till  the  expiration  of  my 
Irafband's  parole  ;  the  two  Indians  were 
then  fen  t  to  Albany,  to  pilot  him  back; 
afcer  waiting  fome  time,  and  learning 
nothing  about  him,  they  returned.  Pre- 
vious 10  this  I  had  been  treated  with  great 
attention  and  civility  ;  dined  frequently 
in  the  firft  families,  received  cards  to  at- 
tend  them  on  parties  of  pleafure,  and  was 
introduced  to  a  large  and  refpeftable  ac- 
quaintance. As  an  unfortunate  woman, 
1  received  thofe  general  tokeii^^of  gene- 
rofity  which  Row  from  a  humiane  people. 
Among  the  prefents  which  I  received  was 
one  of  no  fmall  magnitude, from  Captains 
Stowbrow  and  Vambram,  two  gentlcmeii 


ich  was 
olated  ; 
[lily  ex- 
French- 

an  end. 
[ion,  for 
ey,  and 

and  all 
were  in 
ituation 

Quefne 
feif,  fif. 
,  of  my 
ns  were 
\  back  ; 
learning 
1.  Pre. 
th  great 
quently 
Is  to  at- 
and  was 
:able  ac- 
woman, 
of  gene* 

people, 
yed  was 
[]laptains 
ntlemen 


Mrs.  JOHNSON.   ,         87 

who  were  delivered  by  Major  Wafliin<r- 
ton,  as  hoftages,  when  he,  with  the  Vir- 
ginia troops,  furrendered  to  the  French 
and  Indians.  In  compliance  with  theif- 
billet,  I  waited  on  them  one  morning,  and 
at  parting  received  a  prefent  of  148  livres. 
Mr.  St.  Ange,  a  French  gentleman  of 
fortune  and  diftinclion,  befide  frequent 
proofsof  his  goodnefs,  gave  me  at  one 
time  48  livres.  In  his  family  I  formed  an 
intimate  acquaintance  with  a  young  Eng- 
lifh  lady  who  w^s  captured  by  the  In- 
dians in  the  Province  of  Maine,  and  fold 
to  him  :  {he  was  ufed  with  parental  ten- 
dernefs,  and  fhare.d  the  privileges  of  his 
children  ;  Ihe,  with  his  daughter,  fre- 
puently  came  in  their  morning  carriage, 
to  ride  with  my  fifter  and  me.  Gratitude 
to  my  numerous  benefadors,  pleads  loud- 
ly in  favor  of  inferting  all  their  names, 
and  particularizing  every  aft  of  gfeneroi- 
ity.  If  I  omit  it,  it  muft  not  be  imagined 
thatlh^ve  forgotten  their  charity  j  it 
has  left  an  impreffion  on  my  he^rt,  that 
can  only  be  erafed  with  my  exiftencc. 

I  MUST  not  omit  a  circumftance  which 
took  place  between  the  lady  of  the  Mayor 
of  the  city  and  myfelf.  She  had  purcha- 
fe4  my  daughter  Polly  of  the  Indians, 


mII 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


V. 


^ith  th^  apparent  expectation  of  kcciHng 
her  for  liFe  :  ihe  had  put  her  out  to  nijrfe^ 
^nd  when  I'vifited  her,  her  cries  to  gd 
with  me  were  troublelbme  ;  of  courfe  t 
l^as  forbid  f<?eing  her.  This  was  too  fc- 
ycre — i-l  applied  to  the  interpreter  to  con- 
duft  me  to  this  woman,  and  he  went 
with  rac  to  her  houfe ;  Ihe  reteived  m^ 
^ith  the  greateft  haughtirieft,  apd  gave 
jne  to  underfland  that  the  child  was  her*s, 
and  flic  would  prevent  my  being  further 
troubied  with  it.  I  replied  to  her  in  the 
feeling  language  of  a  mother,  but  it  had 
no  efieft  at  that  time.  A  day  or  two  af- 
terwards, the  interpreter  brought  word 
from  the  woman,  that  I  had  foFtened  her 
heart,  and  might  have  my  child.  I  re- 
ceived with  it  confider  ible  good  clothing, 
and  the  woman  aiOced  nothing  for  all  hcv 
trouble. 

While  in  Mr«  Du  Quefne's  family,  my 
little  daughter  was  very  unwell,  and  the 
fuperftitious  people  were  convinced  that 
the  would  either  die,  or  be  carried  off  by 
the  Devil,  unlefs  baptized.  I  yielded  to 
their  \yifhes,  and  they  prepared  for  the 
ceremony,  with  all  the  appendages  annex* 
cd  to  their  religion.     Mr.  Da  Quefnc  wa« 


Mrs.     JOHNSON. 


H 


godfather,  and  the  young  Englifh  lady 
godmother  ;  by  Mrs.  Du  Quefnc^s  partic- 
ular requeft,  flic  was  chriftened  Louife,  af- 
ter herfelf — to  which  I  added  the  name  of 
Captive.  ' 

1  HE  return  of  the  Indians,  without  Mr. 
Johnfon,  boded  no  good  to  me.  I  ob- 
ierved  with  pain,  the  gradual  change ^n 
niy  friends,  from  coldneis  to  ncgleft,  and 
from  neglect  to  contempt.  Mr.  Du  Quef- 
jie,  who  had  the  moft  delicate  fenfe  o£ 
honor,  fuppofed  that  he  had  defignedly 
broken  his  parole,  and  abufed  his  confi- 
dence ;  he  refufed  to  grant  me  further  at 
fiflance,  or  even  to  fee  my  face.  I  now 
found  myfelf  friendlefs  and  alone  ;  not  -4 
word  had  I  heard  from  Mr.  Johnfon,  not  a 
word  had  I  heard  from  my  little  fon,  with 
the  Indians.  Afiliftion  lowered  upon  me, 
with  all  its  horrors  ;  in  this  dilemma,  my 
fifter  and  I  agreed  to  take  a  fmall  room, 
and  fmpport  ourfelyes,  till  our  littte  ftore 
ofcafii  was  expended,  and  theh  have  re- 
courfe  to  our  needles. 

In  the  beginning  of  April,  the  Indians 
made  a  fecond  tour  to  Albany,  in  queft  of 
Mr.  Johnfon,  and  again  returned  without 

him*     I  wrote  to  Col.  Lydius  for  informa-* 

H2 


if  '•  y 


><>  H 


uo 


M! 


CAPTIVITY    OP 


tion,  but  he  could  tell  nothing.  Dark- 
nefs  increafed  ;  but  I  fuinmoned  all  my 
refolution,  and  indulged  the  fond  hone  of 
being  foon  relieved.  We  kept  our  litik: 
room  till  June,  when  I  had  the  happinefi 
to  hear  that  my  hufl^and  was  without  the 
city,  waiting  for  permiflion  to  come  in. 
He  was  conducted  in  by  a  file  of  men  ;  his- 
prefence  baniflied  care  and  trouble,  a^t 
turned  the  tear  of  forrow  to  the  effufioii 
of  joy  ;  after  the  joy  of  naeeting  had  fub* 
fided,  he  related  his  lad  fate  in  New-Eng* 
land.  He  finally  got  permiflion  from 
Gov.  Wentworth  to  come  privately,  by 
the  way  of  Albany,w'iere  he  took  his  bills, 
drawxi  by  Mr  Cuyler,  on  Mr.  St.  LucLu- 
corne,  ami  Mr.  Rine  Du  Queiiie.  Thjr 
face  of  affairs  in  Canada  had  materially 
changed  ;  during  his  abfence  a  new  Gov- 
ernor, had  been  fent  over,  and  various  m  i- 
noeuvres  in  politics  had  taken  place,whiui\ 
were  v^  injurious  to  him.  Had  the  old 
Govercfor  tarried,  his  abfence  would  ha  ^^ : 
probably  been  excufed.  But  Monf.  V.*<ji- 
drieul  was  ignorant  of  the  conditions 
which  he  went  home,  and  could  not 
mil  apologies,  for  the  breach  of  his  pin  )ic. 
9viv    difappolntment   stnd   moruticuxl^u 


*'. 


au- 


Mrs,   JOHNSON. 


9i 


\yere  fcvere,  wheA  we  found  our  bills  pro- 
teiled.  This  reduced  us  at  once  to  a  beg- 
garly ftiite.  The  evil  was  partially  reme- 
died by  St.  Luc  Lucorne's  lending  us  pa- 
per money,  while  we  could  fend  fome  In- 
dians to  Mr.  Cuyler  for  filver.  Mr.  John- 
fon  received  orders  to  fettle  his  afiairs, 
with  all  poflible  difpatch. 

Spirited  preparations  were  ow  mak* 
ing  for  war.  General  Dielk;  arrived 
from  France,  with  an  army,  and  Montreal 
was  a  fceneofbufy  confulion.  Wc  were 
completing  our  fettlemcnts,  with  our  pa- 
per, expcfting  to  have  full  permiffion  to 
go  home,  when  the  Indians  returned.  But; 
tlie  meafure  of  our  mifery  was  not  yet  full. 
In  the  beginning  of  July  Mr.  Johnfon  was 
put  into  jail.  Terrible  to  mc  was  thisi 
unexpeded  ftroke ;  without  moftey,crcdit 
or  friends,  I  muft  now  roam  the  ftreets, 
without  a  profpeft  of  relief  from  the 
cloud  of  misfortune  that  hung  over  me. 
In  a  few  days,  the  faithful  Indians,  who 
had  been  fent  to  Mr.  Cuyler  for  the  filver, 
returned,  with  438  dollars,  with  ah  order 
on  St.  Luc  Lucorne,  for  700  additional 
livres  -,  but  h^  tpol^  the  whole  into  poflcf- 
fion,  and  wc  riever  after  received  a  penny 

'•  1  •  ■  •        •  ...  ,         .      .   ,  r  v 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


92 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


i    \ 


Half  dittraftcd,  ^md  almoft  exhauftcd 
With  defpair  and  grief,  I  went  to  the  Gov- 
ernor,  to  paint  our  diftrcfs  and  ajfk  relief* 
1  found  him  of  eafy  accefs,  and  he  heard 
my  lamentable  ftory  with  feeming  emo- 
tion ;his  only  prpmife  was  to  take  care  of 
us,  and  at  parting  he  gave  me  a  crown,  to 
buy  milk  for  my  babes.  Ignorant  of  our 
deftiny,  my  filler  and  I  kept  our  little 
room,  and  were  fortunate  enough  to  get 
fubliftence  from  day  to  day — Often  going 
td  the  gloomy  prifon,  ^o  fee  my  poor  hui- 
band,  whofe  misfortunes  in  Bofton  had 
brought  him  to  this  wretchednefs,     '  '  ^ 

Our:  own  misfortunes  had  taught  us 
how  to  feel  for  the  fufFerings  of  others, 
and  large  demands  were  now  made  oil  our 
fympathetic  powers.  Jlift  as  wc  were 
plunged  into  this  new  diftrcfs,  a  fcout  of 
favages  brptight  a  number  of  prifoners  in- 
to Montreal,  nirhich  were  our  old  friends 
and  acquaintance.*  O^r  meeting  was  a' 
fceoe  of  forrow  and  melancholy  pleafure.' 

*  Two  children  from  Mr.  H*  Gfout'^  family,  and 
two  children  belonging  to  Mrs.  How,  the  fair  cap-* 
tive.  celebrated  in  Col.  Humphrey's  life  of  I'utn^m. 
Tl^eif  names  were  Polly  and  Siiibmit  Phips.     Mrs. 
How  was  then  a  prifoncr  at  St.  .Tohft*,  ^ith  f\t  othe^« 


lauftcd 
e  Gov- 
:  relief. 
?  heard 
5  emo- 
care  of 
►wn,  to 
of  our 
r  little 
to  get 


i)r  hul- 
n  haxi 

,  ♦ 
:ht  us 

•tliers, 

m  our 

were 

)ut  of 

jrsin- 

piends 

was  z 

afure. 

ly,and 
ir  cap-* 
Jtniizn. , 


]^RS.    JOHNSON. 


n 


'l 


All  were  now  flocking  to  the  ftandard 
of  wan  The  Indians  came  from  all  quar- 
ters, thirfting  for  Englifli  blood,  and  rcr 
Cfiving  infirufltion  from  the  French.  A 
number  of  tribes,  with  all  their  horrid 
weapons  of  >var,  paraded,  one  morning, 
before  the  General's  houfe,  and  held  the 
war  dance,  and  filled  the  air  with  infernal 
yells,  after  which,  in  a  formal  manner, 
they  took  the  hatchet  againft  the  Englifli, 
and  marched  for  the  field  of  battl^.  Alas  $ 
my  poor  countrymen,  thought  I,  how 
many  of  you  are  to  derive  jnifcry  from 
thcfe  manlier^.  ?! 


children,  and  one  Gar^elj.  They  wpr«  all  ta];:en 
at  Hinfdale.— .Mrs.  How's  daughters  were  purcha- 
fei  by  Monf.  V<iudrieul,  the  CoverfiOfy  and  hadev- 
ery  atteatioo  paid  their  education.  After  a  year's 
refidencein  Montreal,  they  were  fent  to  the  ^and 
nunnery  in  Quebec,  "vt^here  tny  fiflier  and  I  made 
them  a  viflt ;  they  were  beautiful  girls>  cheerful  and 
well  tamght.  We  here  found  two^ged  EngHih  1;|- 
dies, who  had  been  taken  la  formervfars,  yne,  bf 
the  name  of  Wheelright,  who  had  a  brother  in  Bof- 
ton,  on  whom  (he  requefted  *  me  to  call,  if  eret  I 
went  to  that  place  ;  I  complied  with  her  requeft  af- 
terwards, and  received  many  ciTiiititft  from  her 
brirther.      '  '    ^-'-   "    '"'    "  ''   -- 


,  *«■■ 


94 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


On  the  22dof  July,  Mr.  Johnfon  was 
taken  from  the  jail,  and  withmylelf  and 
our  two  youngdt  cMldren,  were  ordered 
on  board  a  velfcl  for  Quebec.  To  leaver 
our  friends  at  Montreal,  was  a  diftrefling 
affair  ;  my  iifltcr*s  ranfam  had  been  paid,, 
but  flie  could  not  go  with  us*  Sht  went 
into  the  family  of  the  Lieut.  Governor^ 
where  fbe  fupported  herfelf  with  her  nee^. 
die.  My  eldeft  daughter  was  ftill  with 
the  three  old  maids,  who  treated  her  ten- 
derly. Labarree  and  F^imfworth  had 
paid  the  full  price  of  their  redemption, 
but  were  not  alldwed  to  go  home.  Not  a 
word  had  we  heard  yet  from  poor  Sylva* 
nus.  We  parted  in  tears,  ignorant  of ' 
our  deftination,  but  little  thinking  thaf 
wd  were  to  embark  for  a  place  of  wretch- 
ednefs  and  Voe*  After  two  dafys  good 
failing,  we  arrived  at  C)ucbcc,  and  were 
all  conduced  diredily  to  jaiL 


,is; 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


95 


G  H  A  P.    VII. 


Six  tnonlhs  rejidence  in  the  Criminal  Jaif, 
and  removal  to  the  Civil  Frifon. 


w 


E  now,  to  cmr  indefcribablc 
f^ain,  found  the  fallacy  of  Mr.  Governor's^ 
promifcs,  for  our  welfare.  This  jail  w8i 
a  place  too  fliocking  for  defcription.  Iii 
one  corner  fat  a  poor  being,  half  dead 
with  the  fmall  pox ;  in  another  were  fome 
loufy  blankets  and  ftraw  ;  in  the  centre 
fiood  a  few  dirty  diihes,  and  the  whole 
prefented  a  fcene  miferable  to  view.  The 
terrors  of  ftarvation,  and  the  fear  of  fuffo" 
eating  in  filth,  were  overpowered  by  the 
more  alarming  evil  of  the'  fmall  pox, 
which  none  of  us  had  had.  But  there 
was  no  retreat,  refignation  was  our  only 
refourcc  ;  the  firft  fortnight  we  waited 
^nxioufly  for  the  2|^ack  of  the  difeafe,  in 
which  time  we  we^f^ported  by  a  finall 
piece  of  meat  a  day,  which  was  ftewed 
with*  fome  rurfy  crufts  of  bread, ^nd 
brought  to  us  in  a  pail  that  fwine  would 


§6 


CAtiivnr  of 


run  from.  The  ftraw  and  loiify  blankets 
iJC'cre  our  dn\f  lodjri  ng,  and  the  reft  of 
our  ftirnitufrc  coafiited  of  fome  wooden 
blocks  for  feits.  On  the  fifteenth  day  I 
was  taken  with  the  fnnallpox,  and  remo- 
ved Id  tKc  h6Tpital  5  leaving  my  hufband 
andt^i'o  children  in  the  horrid  prifon. 
In  two  days  Mr,  johnfon  put  my  youftg- 
cft  child,  Captive,  owt  to  nurfc.  The  wo- 
man kept  the  child  but  i  few  duy«  before 
Are  returned  it,  owing  to  a  miftrttft  that 
ffie  fhould  not  get  her  pay.  But  fliould 
it  remairt  in  prifon,  certain  death  muftbe 
its  portion;  Her  father  was  reduced  to 
the  fad  neceffity  of  requefting  her  to  car- 
ry it  to  the  Lord  Intendant,  and  tell  him 
that  be  muft  eith^  allow  her  a  compenfa- 
tion  for  keeping  it,  or  it  ftixtd  be  left  at 
his  door.  The  good  woman  dreffed  it 
decently,  and  obeyed  her  orders.  Mr.  In- 
tendant friailcd  at  her  ftory,  and  took  the 
child  in  his  arms,  faying,  it  was  a  pretty 
little  Engliih  devil,  it  was  a  pity  it  mould 
die  ;  he  ordered  his  clerk  to  draw  an  or- 
der foi^  its  allowa^,  and  fiie  took  good 
care  of  it  till  t^mR,  of  Oftober  j  except  a 
few  days  whileTt  had  the  fmall  pox. 
^  A  FEwxkys  after  I  left  the  prifon,  Mr. 


blankets 
:  reft  of 
wooden 
th  day  I 
d  remo- 
lufband 

prifon. 

youttg- 
rhe  wo- 
«  before 
ttft  that 

fliould 
muftbc 
luced  to 
r  to  car- 
tell  him 
rmpenft- 
;  left  at 
Ireffed  it 

Mr.  In- 
took  the 
a  pretty 
it  mould 
w  an  or- 
bk  good 
except  a 

lOX. 

ifon,  Mr. 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


$y 


Johnfon  and  my  other  daughter  were  ta- 
ken with  fymptonis  and  came  to  the  hof- 
pital  to  me.  k  is  a  fingular  inflafice  of 
Divine  Ifttefpofition,  that  We  all  recovered 
from  this  malignant  difeafe.  "We  were 
remanded  to  prifon,  but  were  not  com- 
pelled to  our  former  rigid  confinement. 
Mr.  Johnfbn  was  allowed,  at  certain  times, 
to  go  about  the  city,  in  queft  of  provifion. 
But  on  the  20th  of  Oftober,  St.  I^uc  Lu- 
cornc  arrived  from  Montreal,  with  the 
news  of  Dielkau's  defeat  ^  he  had  ever 
fincc  my  hufband's  misfortune,  about  his 
parole,  been  his  perfecuting  enemy.  By 
his  inftigation  we  were  all  put  dircdlly  to 
clbfe  prifon. 

The  ravages  of  th,c  fmall  pdx  reduced 
us  to  the  laft  extremity,  and  the  foetid 
prifon,  without  fire  or  food,  added  bitter*, 
nefs  to  our  diftrefs.  Mr.  Johnfon  prefer- 
red a  jpi^ition  to  the  Lord  Intendant,  fta-t 
ting ourmelancholy  fituation.  t had  the 
liberty  ipt  prefefitingit  myfelf,  and  by  the 
affiftance  of  Mr.  Perthieur,  the  interpre- 
ter, in  whom  we  evei^jound  a  cotnpaflion- 
atc  friend,  We  got  loii%  fmali  relief.-^ 
About  the  firft  off  NovcmbcrjLwaaAaken 
violently  ill  of  a  fever^jfgii^carri.e(ito 


If 

14 


9S 


CAPTIVITY   oy 


the  hofphal,  with  my  daughter  Captive. 
After  a  month^s  refidence  there,  wiih  tol* 
erablc  good  atteiKlancey  I  recovered  from 
my  ilbeis,  aiKl  went  back  to  my  hufband. 
While  at  the  hofpita),  I  found  an  oppor- 
tunity to  convey  the  unwelc<Hne  tidings 
of  our  deplorable  iittiation  to  niy  fifter,  at 
Montreal,  charging  her  to  give  my  bell 
love  to  my  daughter  Sulaana,  aiKl  to  in- 
form our  fellow  prifoners,  Labarrce  and 
Farnfworth,  that  our  good  wrlbes  awaited 
them.  Not  a  word  had  we  yet  beard 
&om  poor  Sylvanus, 

WiNTiiR  now  began  to  approach,  and 
the  feverc  fi'ofts  of  Canada  operated  keen- 
ly upon  our  feelings.  Our  prifon  was  a 
horrid  defence  from  tbe  blalls  of  Decent- 

I 

ber ;  with  two  chairs  and  a  heap  of  firaw, 
and  two  loufy  blankets,  w«  m^  well  be 
fiippofed  CO  live  unccmifortal 
addition  to  this,  we  had  but' 
fire  a  day,  and  the  iron  grates 
accefs  to  the  chills  of  the  inclei 
A  quart  bafon  w^the  only  thlngallowed 
us  to  cook  ou|^'iall  piece  of  meat  and 
dirty  crufts  in^nd  it  muft  ferve  at  the 
J^me  timiNpy^able  furniture.     In  this  hd 

TSfil» — in  jail — WinttfC  ap- 


pHght — 


,.*? 


aptive, 

cd  from 
ufband. 
oppot- 
tidings 
fifter,  at 
my  bdl 
d  to  in- 
ree  and 
awaited 
t  heard 

ach,  and 
ed  keen- 
n  was  a 
:  Ikcem- 
of  ftraw, 
well  be 
t  in 
poor 
e  f  pec 
ent  Iky. 
;  allowed 
^leat  and 
e  at  the 
n  this  £id 
intfic  ap- 


Mrs.   JOHNSON. 


99 


proaching — concdvc  reader,  for  I  cannot 
fpeak  our  diftrefs, 

Ojr  former  benevolent  friends,  Cap- 
tains Stowbrow  and  Vambram,  had  the 
peculiar  misFortune  to  be  caft  into  a  prif* 
on  oppoiite  to  us.  Sufplcion  of  having- 
correfponded  with  their  country n>en,wai 
the  crime  with  which  they  were  charged. 
Their  misfortune  did  not  preclude  the  ex* 
ertion  of  generplity  ;  they  freq^uentlyfent 
us,  by  the  waiting  maid,  bottles  of  wine, 
and  articles  of  provifion.  But  the  malice 
of  Frenchmen  had  now  arrived  to  fuch  a 
pitch,  againft  all  our  country,  that  we 
mull  be  deprived  of  theie  co^mforts* 
Tliefe  good  men  were  forbidden  their  of- 
fices orkindnefs,  and  our  intercourfe  wa& 
entirely  prohibited.  We  however  found 
means,  by  a  ftratagem,  to  effcft  in  fom^; 
meafure,  what  could  no^  b^  done  by  opcii 
dealing.  When  the  fervai;iti  were  carry- 
ir^  in  bur  daily  fuppJies.,  we  flipped  into 
the  entry,  and  depoSted  our  letters  ifi  in 
afli  bo^which  were  ta||ph  by  oi^r  friends^ 
they  l«png  oneat  the  ia^e  tirtie  for  i^i  |^ 
thisfcfflB  in  fom*  me^fiite,  to  amufer^ 
dull  hfTufll^lBHf^  we   diverted  ouff 

ielves  by  life  uie  9I:  Spauifh  ca^ds ;,  as  i%* 


m 


.  '1 

6 


lOO 


CAPTIVITY   OF 


Johnfon  was  Ignorant  of  the  game,  I  de^ 
rived  no  inconfiderablc  pleafure  from  in- 
ftruifling  him.  But  the  vigilance  of  our 
keepers  increafed,  and  our  paper  and  ink 
were  withheld.r-rrWe  had  now  bdfcn  prif- 
oners  feventeen  months,  and  our  prof- 
peels  were  changing  from  ])xd  to  worfe  j 
five  months  had  elapfed  iince  our  confine- 
ment in  this  horrid  receptacle,  except  the 
time  we  lingered  in  the  hofpital/  pur 
jailer  was  a  true  defcendant  from  Pha- 
raoh ;  but^  ^rged  by  inpatience  ^nd  def- 
pair,  I  fofteiied  turn  fp  much  as  to  get  him 
to  alk  Mr,  Perthieur  to  call  on  us.  When 
the  good  man  came,  we^efcribed  our  fit- 
uation  in  all  the  mpving|erms  which  our 
feelings  infpirc;^,  which  jxi  addition  tp 
what  nc  faw,  cpnvinced  him  of  tlie  reality 
of  our  diftrefs.  He  propofed  alking  an 
influential  friend  of  his  tp  call  on  us,  who, 
perhaps  would  devife  fomq  mode  for  our 
relief.  The  next  day  the  gentleman  came 
to  fee  us  ;  he  was  Ojne  pf  thofe  good  fouls 
who  ever  feel  fprwhcrs  woes.  H*  was 
highly  affropted  with  his  countrymen  for 
^reducing  us  tp  fuch  diftrefs^  andjieclared 
that  the  Lord  Intendant  himfclf  ftiould 
jcall  on  us.and  fee  the  extremities  to  which 


I-.  1- 


Mrs.  J0HN8  0N, 


icr 


im   in- 
of  our 
id  ink 
n  prif- 
r  profr 
vorfe  ; 
onfine- 
ept  the 
•   Pur 
m  Pha- 
nd  def- 
jet  him 
When 
our  fit- 
ich  our 
riou  to 
I  reality 
cing  an 
IS,  who, 
for  our 
an  came 
od  fouls 
H€  was 
;men  for 
declared 
if  {hould 
:owliich 


he  had  reduced  us  ;  he  fent,  from  liis  own; 
houfe,  that  night,  a  kettle,  fome  candles, 
and  each  of  us  a  change  of  linen. 

'i'HE  nex.t  day,  January  8th,,  1756,  Mr. 
Infendant  came  to  fee  us  ;  he  exculpated 
Kimfcif  by  faying  that  we  were  put  there 
by  the  fptcial  order  of  Monf  Vaudrieul^ 
the  Governor  in  chief,  and  chat  he  had  no 
authority  to  releafe  us.  But  he  would 
convey  a  lt:ter  horn  M,r.  jphnfpn  ti> 
IVionfieiir,  whicli  rhigKt  Have  the  ciefe^f 4 
efted.  The  lettef  was  accordingly  written^ 
Hating  our  troubles,  and  beieeching  relief  ;r 
likewife  praying  that  our  fon  mi^bv  ^^c 
got  frdni  the  Indians  apd  fent  to  lis,  witl^ 
dur  daughter  and  fifter  from  Montirc^l.-— 
The  Governor  returned  the  fuIlQwiog; 
obliging  letter. 

I  HAVE  received.  Sir,  your  letter,  an4 
am  much  coficerned  for  tf  e  fituation  yott 
are  in-  I  write  to  M?.  I^ongrcql,  tp  put 
you  sgid  your  wifiej  \m-  the  civil  jaiL  Mr. 
L.  Intendant  will  be  ^  good  a»  to  take 
fome  no|ice  o€  the  things  you  ftand  in 
need  of,  and  to  help  you.  As  to  your 
boy  ^  who  i»  m.  the  bands  of  t£ue  Indians^  5 


Pi 'a 


If 


i 


103 


CAPTIVITY   or 


I 

will  do  all  that  is  in  my  ppwcr  tp  get  hinj. 
but  I  do  not  hope  to  have  a  good  fucccfe 
in  it  ;  ypijr  child  in  to^vrn,  and  your  lifter 
in  law  are  well.  If  it  is  fpmc  opportunity 
of  dping  you  fpmc  pleafure,  I  will  make 
ufe  of  it,  uniefs  fome  reafon  might  hap* 
pen  that  hinder  and  ftop  the  efFcas  of  my 
good  will.  If  you  had  not  before  given 
iomecaufe  of  bein§  fufpe6):ed,  you  mould 
be  at  liberty.  I  ;»m,  Sir,  your  inoft  hum? 
We  fervantr        ' 

VAUDRJEUL. 

'  •  •• . 

From  the  receipt  of  this  letter  we  dated 
pur  efcape  from  direful  bondage.  Mr. 
intendant  ordered  us  diref^ly  to  the  new 
jail,  called  the  ciyil  prifon,  where  mir  ac- 
commodations wtrc  infinitely  better.  We 
|iad  a  decent  bed,  candles,  fuel,  and  all  the 
cpnveniences  belonging^  to  prifoners  of 
yrzr.  Mr.  johnifon  was  allowed  fifteen 
pence  per  day,  on  account  pf  a  Lieuten- 
ant's tommiilion  which  he  held  under 
George  the  fecpnd,  and  I  W^s  permitted 
to  go  once  a  week  into  the  city  to  pur- 
chafe  neceifaries  ;  and  a  waiherwomai^ 
was  provided  for  my  ufe.  We  were  not 
confined  to  the  narrow  liirtits  of  a  finde 


%i' ' . 


»-»  i\ 


MRi.  JOHNSON. 


t  him. 
ucccfs 
rlilleir 
tunity 
make 
t  hap* 
of  my 
:  given 
ihould 
I  humr 

;UL. 

e  dated 
\  Mr. 
fie  new 
mir  ac- 
er.  We 
1  all  the 
ncrs  of 

fifteen 
Jeuten- 

under 
rmitted 
to  pur- 
wornai^ 
ere  not 
i  fiiiglc 


1,0 


room,  but  were  reft  rained  qnly  by  the 
bounds  of  the  jail  yard.  Our  fituation 
formed  fuch  a  contraft  with  what  we  en- 
dured in  the  gloomy  criminal  jail^  that 
we  imagined  ourfelves  the  favorites  of 
fortune,  and  in  high  life^ 


I  i 


I 


m 


104  C.AJ^TIVITY    Of 


CHAP.    VIIL 


^ 


i^  the  twentieth  0/  Juljfx  i^^57« 


T 


O  be  md<rfcat  from  ileceffitv,. 
Jia»  ever  been  deemed  at.  formidable  evik 
No  better  witneffes  thatn*  ourfelves  can 
tertify  the  truth  of  the  remark,  although 
f)ur  lodgings  were  now  fuch  a^i  wc  envied 
a  montn  before  ;  yet  ta  be  campelled  to^ 
continual  idlenej!;,  was  grievous  to  be 
l)orne.  We  cfcrived  fame  ai^Fmfemcntr 
from  the  cultivation  of  a  feaall  garden, 
within  the  jait  y-ird  ;  but  a  continnecV 
£imene($  of  friends  and  a^bn,  rendered 
our  time  extremely  weartfotli!^ 

About  a?  month  after  our  arrival  at 
this  new  abode,  one  CSiptain  IVfilton,  with 
his  crew^wtiOi;,  with  their  veffel,  were  ta- 
ken at  fea(,  were  brought  prifoncrs  of  war 
to  the  faTie  phce.  Milton  was  lodged  in 
our  apartment ;:  he  had  all  the  rude  boif- 
terous  airs>  of  a  ieaman,  without  the  leaft 
11  v*f  «>f  ?K  «^endemianu which  eendiered  hin* 


Mrs,    JOHNSON.  105 


Ufefste:^^ 


t:effityr,. 
e  evik 
es  can 
though 
envied 
lied  lo^ 
to  be 
fement 
warden, 
itinu^c* 
ndered 

rival  at 
n,  with 
rcre  ta- 
of  war 
iged  ia 
ie  boif- 
be  leaft 
ed  binit 


a  very  troyblefome  condpanion.     His  im-1 
pudencc  was  confumtnatc,  but  that  was 
not  the  greateft  e^l ;  while  fome  new  re- 
cruits Asrere  parading  before  theprifon^onc 
day,  Milton  addrelied  them  in  very  im- 
proper language  from  our  window,  which  ?^ 
was  noticed  direftly   by  city  authority, 
who,  fup<J)ofing  it  to  be  Mr.  Johnfo^,  or- 
dered him  into ,  the  dungeon.     Deeply  ftf- . 
fecled  by  this  new  trouble^I  again  called 
on  my  frien4  ^^'  Perthicur,  who,  after 
having  afcertained  the  fafts,  got  him  rc- 
leafed.    Mr.  Milton  Kiras  then  put  into^ 
other  quarters, 

A  NEWt^tgii*  wao  had  an  agreeable  la- 
dy for  his  ^Hpfe,  now  made  our  fituatio^ 
ftill  xnoJ?^  happy.  My  little  daughter* 
played  >lith  hers,  and  learned  the  French 
l^nguaffi.  iJJtit  my  children  were  fome 
troubl^thc  eldeft,  Polly,  could  flip  out 
ii\tG  tM  ftreet  under  the  gate,  and  often 
caine^^igh  being  loft  :  I  applied  to  the 
centmri,and  he  kept  her  within  propciT 
bounds.  , 

C'APT.  M'Ncil  and  his  brother,  from 
Bdfton,  were  l^roughttp  u$  as  prifoners  | 
they  informed  us  of  the  ftatc  of  politics  in 
our  o\yri  country,  and  told  u$  fome  inter- 


m 


to6 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


*^» 


cfting  news  about  foma  of  our  fiends  aC 
komc.  i 

Ik  the  moming  of  the  1 3th  of  ^ugufty 
our|aUer,withmoott-eycSg.came  to  con- 
gratulate u»on  the  talking  of  Ofwego  by. 
tht  Firench.  We  entered  little  inta  hls^ 
Ipirit  of  joy,  preferring  much  to  hear 
Igppd  news  from  the  other  fide.  We  were 
foOn  vifited  by  fomc  of^tfje  prifoners,  who? 
Ind  furrendered.  Gol.  Schuyler  was  in; 
the  number,  whf>,  with  the  gentlemen  ia 
his  fuit,  made  us  a  generous*  prefent. 

The  remainder  of  the  fumrmer  and  fall,. 
c€  1756,  palled  off  without  any  fenftble 
variation.  We  frequently  Ivq^rd  from. 
Montreal  ;  my  fifter  was  vgtj  wiA]  fitua- 
ted,  in  the  family  of  the  Lieut:  Oovernor,. 
atid  my  eldeft  daughter  was  caretfed  by' 
Jier  three  mothers.  Gould  I  have  heard 
from  my  fon,  half  my  trouble  would  have 

*■* 

In  December  I  was  delivered  of  ja  fon,, 
which  Ifved  but  a  fe^  Tiours,  and  Was  bu^ 
riedun^ler  the  Cathedral  Church. 

In  the  winter  I  received  a  letter  fronk 
my  fifter,  containing  the  fad  tidiii'^s  of  my 
ftther*s  death,  wlio  was  killed  by  Indiana 
€^ti  his  own  f;irm^  the  preceding  |uae» 


Mrs.     JOHNSON.  1^7 


<Is  at 

iguftv 
con- 
;o  by 
:6  his 
hear 
:were 
I,  who 
ras  in; 
[len  ia 

dfa», 

from, 
fitua- 
etnor,. 
ed  by-' 
heard 
i  have 
I- 
k  (bn^ 

^from 
af  my' 
ndian^ 


ia[t  the  age  of  53,  Savage  vengeance  fell 
heavilyitpon  our  family  ;  J  hard  a  brother 
-woundeci  at  cthe  fame  time,  who  ran  to 
the  fort  with  the  ^ar  flicking  in  his 
thigh,  loo  mudi  grief  Tedaicedj^gi||Jit 
weak  condiiion.  I  was  takc|i^|H!^ 
carried  to  the  hofpital,  ^K^e,  barter  ^ 
month's  lingering  iltocfs,  I  found  myfclf 
able  to  return.  r 

Th€  commencem^it  of  the  year  1757 
paflfed  off  without  a  *proipeft  of  liberty* 
Part  oi  OUT  fellovir  pr ifol^r«  were  fent  tp 
France,  but  we  made  no  voyage  out  of 
the  jail  yard.  About  the  fell  of  M^y, 
-we  petitioned  Mon£  V-aiudrleul  to  pernvit 
our  lifter  4o  come  to  us.  Qui  player 
was  granted,  and  in  May  we  had  the 
pleafure  of  feeitig  her,  after  an  abf(aicc  of 
two  yeans.  Slie  had  fuppoited  herfdf  hj 
iher  needle,  vin  the  family  of  jfep^  LicUit. 
<5ovcrnor,whereihe  was  tredR  extreme- 
ly well,  and  received  a  .pre^[K  of  four 
crowns,  at  jwtrting. 

Impatient  of  confinement,  wc  tioiJt' 
«nadc  another  attenn[pt  to  g^in  ourlibeiiy. 
Mr.  Perthieiir  conduced  us  tO  tfec  feut^ 
of  the  Lord  Intendant,  to  whom  we  petl  - 
tiotned  inpreffinyterois  ;  ftating,  thot  v  i 


% 


S0 


■■■* 


f^^ 


108 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


had  now  been  pHfoners  almoft  three 
years,  and  had  fuffered  evel-y  thing  biit 
^eath  ;  and  thai  wbtild  be  cur  fpeedy 

Sortion,  unlefs  we  had  relief.     His  Ldrd- 
lip  Hllened  With  feemmg  pity^  and  prom- 
^Ijdy^^ay  our  cafe  before  the  head  man, 
atM||^teal^  and  give  u^  an  anfwer,  in 
feven  days  ;  art  the   expiration  of  which 
time^  we  had  a  perrnit  to  leave  the  prifon. 
'%i  is  not  eafy  to  defcribe  the  efFeft  of  fuch 
Bews  ;  thole  only7 who  have  fch  thehor- 
rori?  of  confinement,  can  figure  tq  thcm- 
felves  the  happinefs  we   enjoyed,  when 
breathing,  once  more,  the   air  of  liberty* 
We  took  lodgings  in  town,  where  we  tar- 
ried till  the  firft  of  June  ;  when  a  cartel 
fhip  arrived  to  carry  prifoners  to  England 
for  an  exchange.     Mr.  Johqlort  wrote  an 
urgent  letter  to  Monf.  Vaudrietl,  praying 
that  his  family  might  be  included  with 
thofe  wljto^were   ta  take  paflagc.     Mon- 
fieur    w|||e   a  very  encouraging  letter 
back>  pr(5mifing  that  he  arfd  his  family 
Ihould  fail,  and  that,  his  daughter,  Sufan- 
na,  fhould  be  fent  to  him-— he  cond'tided 
by  cit^gratulating  him  on  his  good  prof- 
pem^  and  orderirtg  th^  Govcrnar  of  Qge- 


• 


.  V  ■/ 


'■I' 


three' 
ig  biit 
fpeedy 
i  Ldrd- 
[prom- 
d  man, 
wer,  in 

which 
:  prifon. 

offuch 

the  hor- 

9  thcm- 
t;  when 

'  liberty, 
3  we  tar- 
a  cartel 
England 
wrote  an 
,  praying 
ied  with 
:,     Mon- 
ng  letter 
is  family 
:r^  Sufan- 
:oncItided 
)od  prof- 
^r  of  Qge- 


^Rs.    jbHNSbt?.         ko| 

bcc  to  atfo^d  us  his  aViftatite.    Tta^  letter 
was  dated  June  the  27th; 

This  tide  of  good  fortUnt  ilmoft  wiped 
away  the  remembrance  of  three  years  adi* 
vcrfity.     We  begah  but-  preparations  fof 
citibarkation  with  alacrity.     Mr.  Johftfon 
wrote  $t.  Luc  Lucorne,  for  iht  feven  hun^ 
dred  liVreSj  due  on  Mr.  Cuylcr*s  br<dll|P 
but  hiarequcft  was,  and  ftiU  is^  Uhiatisfi- 
ed.     This  was  a  period  big  with  with  ev- 
ery thihg  propitious  ana  happy.  The  idea 
bt  leaving  a  country  ^here  1  had  fuffered 
the  keeneft  diftrefs,  during   two  months 
and  a  half  with  the  fevajges — been  bowed 
down  by  every  mortirication  and  infult|, 
which  could  arife  from  the  m)|ibrtuAdl 
of  my  huiband^  in  New-£nglan(l|||  and 
where  I  had  fpent  two  year's  injicknefs 
land  defpair^  in   a  prifon  too  fiiockitig  td 
mentib^,  contributed  to  fill  the  motncnt 
^ith  all  the  happinefs,  ^hith  the  benevb*. 
lent  reader  will  conceive  iny  due,  After 
ifufferings  lb  intcnfe  ;  to  conluminate  thfe 
whole,  my  daughter  was  to  be  rfetUrncd 
to  my  arrtis,  who  had^^ecn  abfent  more 
than  two  years.    There  was  a  good  prof*> 

!)ecl  of  our  foa'a^ing  releafed  from  the 
fidiahs  ;  the  whole  formed  fuch  a  luck7 


I 

m 


OF 


no  CAPTIVITY 

combination  of  fortunate  events,  that  the 
^f^agisr  of  twice  croffing  the  ocean  to  gain 
our  native  fliorc,  vaniflied  in  a  moment. 
My  femiily  were  all  in  the  iame  joyful 
iQQQd,  and  hailed  the  happy  day  when 
wc  ihoidd  fail  ior  England. 
*  But  little  did  we  think  that  this  fun- 
i^iqe  of  profperity  was  io  foon  to  bedark- 
^li^ied  by  the  heavieft  clouds  of  misfortune. 
Three  days  before  the  appointed  hour  for 
failiiig,  the  fliip  came  down  from  Mon- 
«real,.  without  my  daughter  ;  in  a  fe\^ 
liDQaients,  I  met  Mr.  Pertbieur,  who  told 
iine  thi^;t  coijmter  orders  h;id  come,  and 
J^r.  johi^foB  4imft  be  retaineti  a  prifoner  ; 
(Ginjytny  two  little  daughters,  filler  and 
fi^yfelf  could  go.  1  his  was  calamity  in-- 
|i(ied;jrtQatteia:ipt  fuch  along,  wearifome 
^qy^et,  .without  money  and  without  ac- 
qV'^int^ii.cej  and  to  leave  a  hufband  and 
tiypchUdrjen  in  the  hands  of  enemies,  was 
tog  abhorrent  for  reflecliop.  But  it  was 
^n  affair  of  importance^  and  required 
weighty  confideration  ;  accordingly  the 
next  day  a  folemn  council  of  all  the  prif- 
oners  in  the  city  ^j^^as  held  at  the  cofFee- 
houle.-^-nCol,  Schuyler  was  prefident,  ^nd 
after  numerous  argumdits  im  and  againft 


J . 


\.^ 


Mrs.    JOHNSON. 


Ill 


were  heard,  it  was  voted,  by  a,  large  ma'? 
jo^ity,  ttiat  I  fhould  go.— I,  with  hefita- 
tion,  gave  my  conlent.  Some,  perhaps, 
will  cenfure  the  meafure  as  rafh»  and  oiijr 
ers  may  applaud  my  cour^ige;  but  I  had 
fo  long  been  accuflorncd  to  danger  and 
diftreis,  in  the  moil  menacing  terms  they 
could  alfume,  tliat  I  was  now  almott  in- 
fcnliblc  to  their  threats  ;  and  this  aci:  wa$ 
not  a  little  hi alTed  by  deiperation.  JJfc 
could  no  longer  retain  its  value,  if  linger- 
ed out  in  the  inimical  regionis  of  Canada. 
In  Europe  1  fhould,  at  leaft,  find  friends, 
if  not  acquaintance  ;  and  among  the  nur 
merous  veffels  bound  to  America  I  might 
chance  to  get  a  pafl'age.  But  then,  to 
leave  a  tender  hufband,  who  had  fo  long, 
at  the  hazard  of  his  life,  prefer ved  my 
own  ;  to  part,  perhaps  forever,  from  two 
children,  put  ail  my  rcfolution  to  theteftji 
and  (hook  my  boafted  firmnefs. 

CoL.  Schuyler,  v/hom  we  ever  found 
our  benevolent  friend,  promifed  to  ufe  his 
influence  for  Mr.  Johnfon's  releafe,  and 
for  the  redemption  of  our  children. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  we  went  on  board 
the  veifel,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Johnfon, 
who  went  with  us  to  take  leave.    Wc 


.li 


■■^m 


\,.------f,i 


*^-- 


na  CAPTIVITY    of 


were  introduced  to  the  Captain,  who  wa^ 
a  gentlen^an,  and  aperfon  of  great  civili- 
ty f  he  il^ewed  us  the  bed  cabin,  whkti 
was  to  b|e  the  place  of  our  refidence,  and 
after  promifing  my  hutband  that  the  voyi 
a^ge  (l^ould  be  made  as  agreeable  to.  me  as 
poffible,  he  gave  orders  for  >vcighing  an- 
chor. The  time  was  novy  come  that  wc 
muft  part — Mr.  Johnfoh  took  me  by  the 
hand — our  tears  inipofed  filence — I  faw, 
him  ftep  into  the  bat*ge  ;  but  my  two 
little  children^,  idfter,  and  myfelf  were 
bound  for  Eurbpje.        *    '  * 

We  fells  down  the  river  St.  Lawrence 
but  a  (mat!  dill'ance  that  night,  llie  next 
mo^^iiig,  the  Captain,  with  \  cheerful 
QOUfhtencinqe^  caine  to  our  cabin,  and  in* 
vited  us  to  tifc  and  take  our  leave  of 
<^et^  y  noilie  but  niyfdf  complied,  and 
t  gaa^^d,  ks  long  as  fight  would  permit,  at 
the  place  wher€  1  had  left  my  dearest 
friend. 

'  While  in  the  cuftody  of  the  Canadi- 
ans,  a  number  of  circumftances  occurred, 
Svith  which  my  memory  is  not  ftrongly 
imprefled  :  but  a  dream  which  I  had 
^hile  in  the  civil  jail,  will  never  be  for- 
gotten.   Methojaghc  that  I  had  two  rings 


i'' 


ho  wai 

CiVlll- 

whifthi 
:e,  ah4 
ic  voy^ 
);  me  as 
ing  an- 
hat  wc 

by  the 
—I  faw 
ny  two 
f  were 

iwrence 
Tie  next 
cheerful 

and  in- 
leave  of 
ed,  and 
rmity  at 

deare^ 

Canadu 
:c;urrecl, 
ftrongly 
i  I  had 
be  for- 
vo.ring^ 


Mr«. 


JOHNSON.  113 


on  one  finder,  the  one  a  plain  and  the  oth- 
er a  diamond  numrning  ring  :  the  phin 
ring  broke  and  tell  from  my  finger,whilc 
the  otlier  remained.  My  family  was  now 
broke,  and  I  left  to  mourn. 


CHAP.     IX. 

Voyage  to  Pijfnouth* — Occurrences. — Sailing 
from  Fly  mouth  to  Portfmouthy  from  thence 
by  the  way  of  Cork  to  New-TorL 


jl\ 


LL  my  fears  and  afflidion 
did  not  prevent  my  feeling  fome  little  joy 
at  being  releafed  from  the  jurifdidion  of 
Frenchmen.  I  could  pardon  the  Indians, 
for  their  vindictive  fpirit,  becaufe  they 
had  no  claim  to  the  benefits  of  civiliza- 
tion. But  the  French,  who  give  leffons 
of  politenefej^  to  the  reft  of  the  worlds  can 
derive  no  advantage  from  the  plea  of  ig- 
norance. The  blind  fuperftition  which 
is  inculcated  by  their  monks  and  friars, 
doubtlels  fiifles,  in  fome  meafure,  the  ex-^ 
K^rcion  of  pity  towards  their  enemies  ;  an4 
tbi?  comn^pn  herd,  which  iaclud^«.  ali»Q& 


,'11 


"4 


CAPTIVITY    QF 


I   ) 


r- 


(even  eighths  of  their  number,  have  no 
iidvantages  from  education.  To  thcfe 
fources  I  attribute  moil  of  my  fufierings* 
But  I  found  fome-  benevolent  ifriendsj 
whofe  geDerofity  I  Ihall  eVer  recoiled  with 
the  war meft  gratitude.'  ■■•'  .  -'.i  .     ^ 

i  The  commencement  of  the  voyage  had 
every  favorable  prcfage  j«  the  weather 
was  fine,  the  diilors  cheerful,  aud  the  fhip 
in  good  trim. ,  My  accommodations  ip.' 
the  Captain^s  i^mily  were  v^ry  conimodl^ 
ous;  a  boy  wa$  allowed  me»  for  mypax^- 
tiqular  i;rfe«  Wc  failed  with  excellent  for-, 
tune  till  the  1.9th  of  Auguft,  whjen.we 
hove  in  fight  of  qld^Plyn^puth,  and  at  4 
i>'clockin  the  afti^rpoon  dropped  anchor. 
.  TH&tiiext  day  att  but;  myfelf  and  lamily 
were  taken  fxom  the  ycffel ;  we  felt  great 
anxiety 'oit  being  left,  add  began  to  fear 
thatfor^\^ne  wa&  not  willing  to  fmijte  qn 
us,  even  6n  tbefe  Qioi:e^'i  we  waited  in 
defpair  thirty  or  forty  hours,  and  found 
iio  rtilie^  The  eaptaui.  obferving  our  def- 
pondency,  began' 'Ijitsr  airs  of  gaiety  to 
cheer  us  ;  he  ^lireid^  usithat  we  ihould 
«tot  fu&er — that  if  the  £nglilh«  would  not 
receive  us,  he^woijild  take  us  to  France  and 
«r:tajl|^e  uf  happy-     But  at  laft  an  ofQff^jri 


«»•» 


rM 


1^  A  '^ 


»»    ii'^n   '4i 


v« 


aye  po 

thelc 
erings* 
riendsi 

a  with 

'    ■  '    i 

gehad 
k(eather 
he  Ihip 
ions  itf 
rimodi^ 
ny  fvaxv 
cnt  for^ 
iijen  .wc 
ind  at  4 
anchor, 
l&mily 

Jt  great 
to  fear 
inife  qn 
nited  in 
1 .  found 
ourdef- 
aiety  to 
f  ihould 
mid  not 
ince  and 
^  of$£^]r: 

i     ^>^^t■v  vT 


1        Mrs.  JOHNSON.  ii« 

cam^  on  board,  to  fee  if  the  veffel  was  pre- 
pared for  the  reception  of  French  prifon- 
ers.  We  related  to  him  our  iituation  ;  he 
conduftedus  on  fhore,  and  appHed  to  thd 
Admiral  for  dii^ex^tiojns — who  ordered  us 
l6dgings  and  thfe  King's  allowance  of  two 
fliilliiigb  ftcriing  per  day,  for  pur  fupport) 
Fortunately  we  were  lodged  in  a  houfc 
Where  relided  Captain  John  Tufton  Ma- 
fon,  whofc  nanie  will  be  familiar  to  the 
inhabitants  of  New-^iamp(hire,  on  ac- 
tount  of  his  patent.  He  very  kindly  in- 
lerelled  himfelf  in  our  favor,  and  wro|e  to 
Melfrs.  Thoihlinfon  and^  Apthbrp^  agents' 
atLondon  for  the  Proyihccof  b^ew-Hj^mp- 
ihire,  folicitiug  their  affiftance'  in  my  be- 
half^ We  tarried  at  Ply  rfiouth  Ipiit  a^fort* 
night,  during  which  time  I  received  mucli 
attention,  ai^d 'had   to  grajtify  inany  inj* 

quifitive  friends  vrith  the  Klftpiy  of  my 
fuflEeringS0^^'-fv:    ^. :  ;^  r;v  ^^r :'•'■■    I'l      f 

CAPt,  Mafon  procured  me  a  ps^fiage  ta 
Portfmoutii,  In  tlte^  Jtainbpw  tnari  of  war,' 
from  whence  t  vas  to  take  p^ffage  m  x 
packet- for  America;  Ju0  '  as  l/Sepf>ed 
0n  board  the  Rainbow,  ^  good  lad  jf,  with- 
filer  fon,  came  to  .make  me  a  viiit ;  her 
^i^iufity  to  fee  a  perfoa  of  m^y  defer! pt ion 


r 


11^ 


CAP^TIVITY    OF 


was  not  abated  by  my  being  on  my  paf- 
fage  ;  Ihe  faid  flie  could  not  ileep  till  flie 
had  fecn  the  perfon  who  had  fulFered 
fuch  hard  fortune.  After  flie  had  alked 
all  the  qucftions  that  tiine  would  allow  of, 
Ihe  gave  me  a  guinea,  and  a  half  guinea 
to  my  lifter,  and  a  muflin  handkcjrchief  to 
each  of  our  little  g:irl:i.  On  our  arrival  at 
Portfiuouth,  the  packet  had  failed;  the 
Captain  of  the  Rainbow,  not  finding  Jt 
convenient  to  keep  us  with  him,  introdu- 
ced us  on  board  the  Royal  Ann. 

Wherever  we  lived,  we  found  the 
beft  friends  and  the  politcft  treatment.— r- 
It  will  be  thought  Angular,  that  a  de- 
fencelefs  wbrnan  fliould  fuffer  fo  many 
changes,  without  meeting  with  fome  iix- 
fult^,  and  many  inciyilitiea.  But  duririg 
ttiy  long  refidlence  on  board  the  various 
veffels,  I  received  the  moft  delicate  attention 
from  my  companions.  The.ofBcers  were 
affiduous'  in  making  my  fituatign  agreea- 
ble, and  readily  proffered  their  Tervices. 

While  on  board  the  Rciyal  Ann,  I  re- 
ceived the  following  letters  j  the  reader 
WiHeXcuje  the  recitation  •,  it  would  be 
ingratitude  not  to  record  fuch  confpicu- 
i^US  a<3;sof  b^hevolencco 


Mrs.  J  O  II  N  S  O  N. 


Vi 


ly  pal- 
till  (lie 
ulFered 
d  alked 
low  of, 
guinea 
chief  to 
rival  at 
i  ;  the 
ing  it 
trodu- 

nd  the 
nent.— r- 

t  a.de* 
3  many 
5me  ii\- 

duriiig 
various 
ttentidn 
:rs  were 

agreea- 
r  vices, 
in,  I  re- 
e  reader 
ould  be 
onfpicij- 


Plymoutby  Sept.  13,  1757. 
Madam, 
Late  laft  poftpight  I  received  an  an- 
fwer  from  Mr".  Apthorp,  who  is  partner 
with  Mr.  Thbmlinfon,  the  agent  for  New'- 
Hampfhire,  with  a  letter  cnclofcd  to  you. 
Which  gave  you  liberty  to'  draw  on  him 
for  fifteen  guineas.  As  Madam  Hornech 
^ras  juft  clofing  her  letter  to  you,  I  gave 
it  her,  to  enclofe  for  you ;  J  now  write  a- 
gain  to  Lotidun  on  your  behalf.  Yoi^ 
muft  immediately  write  Mr.  i\pthorp^ 
what  you  intend  %o  do,  and  what  mrther; 
you  would  have  him  and  PUV  friends  at 
London  do  for  you.  ■ 

'  I  Hope  you  have  received  the  bepcfac- 
tioh  of  the  charitable  ladies  in  this  towii. 
All  friends  here  commHerate  your  inisfof- 
tunes,  and  wifli  you  well,  idgethcr  with 
your  fitter  and  children.  '    •   ;    '  -^^ 

'   Your  friend  and  countryman  to  fervc. 

"      JOHN  T.  K^ASON.   ' 
Mrs.  Johnson.  .•'  '  


Madam, 


Londgn,  Sep.  7,  1757. 


I  RitcjiivBiD  a  letter  fr'omCapt^.  Mafon, 
dated  the  thirtieth  of  laft  month,  giving 
an  account  of  your  unfortunate  fituatiQiw 


vhi 


'i  <  . 


.-'i 


,.^^«i**''**.,-#>.i  ,..»..'<<•■'■  ■  ■■  ''■"'"Tt  -■'■ 


J-  i!     f 


!l8 


CAPTIVITY   OF 


and  yefterday   Mr,  Thomlinfon    who  is 
;  '^  ill  in  the  country,  fent  nie  your  letter,  to- 
'gether  with  Ca'pt.  Malon's  to  1  im,  with 
'the  papers  relative    to  you.     In    coni'e- 
"^cjuence  of  which,  I  this  day  applied  to  a 
.^number  of  gentlemen  in  your  belaif,  who 
^very  readily  gave  their  affiftancc   ;  but  as 
I  am  a  llran^rer  to  the  fteps  you  intend  to 
purine,  I  can  only   give  you  liberty,  at 
Tprefcnt,  to  draw  on  me  for  ten  or  futccn 
'guineas,  for  Vx^hich  fum  your  bill  fliall  be 
'paid,  and  when  you   iurnifh  me  with  in- 
formation,  1  fliill  very  cheerfully  give 
any  furtherance  in   my  power,  to   your 
relief,  when  I  Ihall  alfo  fend  you  a  liil  of 
your  benefactors.  /,     ^ 

I  afti, 'Madam,  - ".    >      ^ 

Your  moft  humble  fervant^ 

JOHN  APTHORP. 
Mrs.  Susanna. lodNsoN.    ^  ..     .::  '^  ■" 

LErrER  FROM  H*  GRorn* 

■"  I  HAVE  now  the  pleaf\ire  to  let  dear 
.Mrs.  Johnfonknow  the  goodnefs  of  Mrs. 
Hornech  ;  ihe  has  collected  feven  pounds 
for  you,  and  fent  ic  feo  Mrs.  Breit,  wl-o 
liv(is  in  the  yard  at  Portfmouth,  to  bi:g 
her  favors  to  you,  in  any  thing  (he  can 
do  to  help  or  aflifl:  you.     She   is  a  good 


Mrs.   JOHNSON. 


119 


who  is 
tter, to- 
Wy  with 

con  fe- 
ed to  a 
aif,  who 

but  as 

ntend  to 

)erty,  at 

r  littccn 

fliall  be 

with  in- 

lily   give 

to   your 

[  a  lill  of 


intj 
iORP. 


>.  ,'■ ,  -*. 


>  let  dear 
k  of  Mrs. 
!n  pounds 
rett,  win) 
I,  to  beg 
ig  (he  can 
is  a  <^oud 


lady;  do  go  to  her,  and  let  her  know 
your  diftrels.  Capt.  Mafon  has  got  a  let- 
ter  this  poft,  but  he  is  not  at  home  ;  can- 
not tell  you  further.  You  will  excufe 
this  fcrawl,  likewiie  my  not  enlarging— 
as  Mr.  Hornech  waits  to  fend  it  away. 
Only  believe  me,  madam,  you  have  my 
earned  prayers  to  God,  to  help  and  affill 
you.  My  mama*s  compliments  w^ith 
mine,  and  begs  to  wait  on  you,  and  be- 
lieve me,  dear  Mrs.  Johnfon,  yours  in  all 
events  to  ierve  you. 
-  1  -  :•  HANNAH  GROVE. 
1 'Sunday  Eve,  10  o'clock.  -^^^^-^' 

I  RECEIVED  the  donation,  and  Mr.  Ap- 
thorp  fcnt  me  the  fifteen  guineas.  I  fin- 
ccrely  lament  that  he  omitted  fending  me 
the  names   of  my  benefiidlors. 

The  Captain  of  the  Royal  Ann,  fuppoi- 
fing  my  fituation  with  him,  might  not^ 
be  fo  convenient,  applied  to  the  mayor,, 
for  a  permit  for  me  to  take  lodgings  in 
the  city,  which  was  granted.  I  took  new 
lodgings,  w^iere  I  tarried  three  or  four 
dayis,  when  orders  came  for  me  to  be  on 
board  the  Orange  man  of  war,  in  three 
hours,  which  was  to  fail  for  America.  We 
made  all  poflible  difpatch,  but  when  we 


III  'i 


Vf  .i 


<'i.     ' 


■.'V.,i  •„  ■ 


^..I^^.IK-**- 


Ho 


CAPTIVITY    oV 


<■  \ 


i5r  n:>i'M 


jgot  to  the  fliorc,  wc  were  aftoniflied  to 
lind  the  Ihip  too  faf  under  way  to  be  over- 
taken. No  time  was  to  be  loft,  I  applied 
to  a  waterman,  to  carry  li^  to  a  mer- 
chantman, who  was  weighing  anchor  at  a 
diftance,  to  go  in  the  fame  fleet,  tic  hefi- 
tated  long  enough  to  pronounce  a  chap- 
ter of  oaths,  and  rowed  us  bfF4  When 
wexame  to  the  veffel,  I  petitioned  the 
Captain  to  take  us  on  board,  till  he 
overtook  the  Orange.  He  direSly  flew 
into  a  violent  paflion^  and  offered  greater 
infults  than  I  had  ever  received  during 
my  whole,  voyage  ;  he  fwore  we  were 
Women  of  bad  fame,  who  wiihed  to  fol- 
low the  army,  and  that  he  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  us.  I  begged  him  to 
calm  his  rage,  and  we  would  convince 
him  of  his  error.  But,  fortunately,  the 
vidualler  of  the  fleet  happened  to  be  in 
the  fliip,  who  at  this  moment  fiepped  for- 
^ard  with  his  roll  of  names^  and  told  the 
outrageous  Captain  that  he  would  foon 
convince  him,  whether  we  defeirved  no- 
tice, by  fearching  his  lift.  He  foon  found 
oiir  names;,  and  the  Captain  began  to  beg 
pardon.  He  took  us  on  board,  and  apol- 
ogized for  his  rudenefs.     We  ikiled  with 


Urs.    JOHl^SOM. 


Hi 


>•  V 


lied  to 
e  ovcr- 
jpplied 
1  mcr- 
ior  at  a 
ic  hefi- 
.   chap- 

Wheii 
led  the 

till  he 
tly  flew 
greater 

during 
ve  were 

to  fol- 
Id  have 

him  to 
onvincc 
ely,  the 
o  be  in 
ped  for- 
tbld  the 
lid  foon 
'ved  no- 
)n  found 
n  to  beg 
nd  apol- 
led  \^Fitk 


i  fair  wind  for  Cork,  where  the  fleet  took 
provifion.     We  tarried  a  fortnight  in  thi^ 
place,  during  which  time  the  Captain  of 
the  Orange  came  on  board  to  fee  me,  and 
to  oSer  me  a  birth  in  his  veflel ;  but  that 
being  a  battle  Ihip,  it  was  thought  bfeft  for 
me  to   ftay  where  I  then   Was,      After 
weighing  anchor  at  Cork,  We  had  a  paf- 
fageoffcven  weeks,  remarkably  pleafant^ 
to  New-York.     Op  the  tenth  of  Decem- 
ber we  dropped  anchor  at  Sandy  Hook  i 
on  the  eleventh,  1  had  the  fupteme  f^li- 
€uy  to  find  myfelf  on  flioi^e  in  my  native 
c^mntry,  after  an  abfence  of  three  yearsj 
three  months,  and  eleven  days. 


fcHAP.    t. 


The  Hyiory  ends: 


__  MIGHT  defcant  for  many  i 
:  on  the  felicity  I  felt  on  being  oncd 
r  re  in  my  own  country  ;  but  others  cart 
f  :^  my  feelings  better  than  I  can  tell 
i  '  >.  The  Mayor  of  New- York  ordered 
ini;:  Tigs  for  us;  here  1  had  the  pleifurc 


"p(i 


tin. 


CAPTIVITY    oJ 


I 


of  mceUng  my  frieud.  Col.  SchuyIer,Awh© 
gave  me  much  infermation  about  affairs 
ia  Canada  ;  he  told,  me  that  my  hufband 
had  been  releaftd,  and  taken  paffage  in  a 
cartel  iliip  for  Halifax,  and  that  he  had 
redeemed  my  fon  from  the  Indiai^S)  for 
the  fum  of  five  hundred  livres. 

My  fellow  prifoner,  Labarrce,  had 
made  his  efcape  from  the  French,  and  had 
been  in  New-York  a  few  days  before,  on 
his  way  home. 

We  tarried  in  New- York  ten  days- 
then  took  water  paflfagefor  New-Haven, 
where  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  find  a 
number  of  officers  v/ho  had  been  ftation- 
ed  at  Charleflown  the  preceding  fummer, 
who  gratified  my  curiofity  with  intelli- 
gence refpecling  my  relations  and  friends 
in  that  place.  Some  of  thefe  gentlemen, 
among  whom  was  Col.  Whiting,  kindly 
undertook  to  affift  us  on  our  journey 
home,  by  the  way  of  Springfield.  At 
Hartfgrd  we  found  fome  gentlemen  who 
were  bound  for  Charldlown  ;  they  foli* 
cited  my  fifler*  to  go  in  company  with 
them^  to  ^yhich  Ihe  afTented. 

*  Mifs  Miriam  Willard  was  afterwards  married  te 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Whitaey,  of  Shirley,  Maifachuferts 


affairs 
ifband 
;e  in  a 
[he  had 
(qs,  for 

te,  had 
ind  had 
ore,  on 

days — 

-Haven, 

find  a 

flation- 

ummer, 

intelli- 

friends 

ttlemen, 

5  kindly 

journey 

:ld.     At 

len  who 

ley  foii* 

ly  with 


married  te 
fachufttts 


Mrs.  JOHNSdl^  123 

Whfn  within  haffa  dozen  miles  of 
Springfield,  Mr.  Ely,  a  benevolent  friend 
of  Mr.  Johnfoh's,  fent  his  two  fons,  with 
a  Ilei^h  to  copvey  me  to  his  houfe,  v/here 
I  propofed  flaying  till  fomc  of  my  friends 
could  hear  of  my  arrival.  Fortunately, 
Mr.  Johnfon  about  the  fame  time  arrived 
at  Bofton,  but  misfortune  had  not  yet 
filled  the  meafurc  of  his  calamity.  He 
had  no  fboner  landed,  than  he  was  put 
under  guard,  on  fufpicion  of  not  perform- 
ing his  duty  in  the  redemption  of  th^ 
Canada  prifoners,  which  fufpicion  was 
occafioned  by  his  remiffnefs  in  producing 
his  vouchers, 
cate  procured  his  liberty. 

This  is  to  certify,  whom  it  may  cour 
Cern,  that  the  bearer,  Ueutenant  James 
Johnfon,inhabitant  in  the  town  of  Chatlef- 
town,  in  the  Province  of  New-Hamp£hire, 
in  New-England  ;  who,  together  with  his 
family,  were  taken  by  the  Indians  on  the 
30th  of  Auguft  1754,  has  evqr  fince  con- 
tinued a  fleady  and  faithful  fubjed  to  his 
Majefly  King  George,  and  has  ufcd  his 
utmoft  endeavors  to  redeem  his  own  fam- 
ily, and  all  others  belonging  to  the  Prov- 
ioce  atorefaid,  that  were  in  the  hands  of 


But  the  following  certifi^ 


4 


'■/■^ali 


P^^:- 


<•'  \ 


I?4 


CAPTIVITY    •! 


the  French  and  Indians,  which  he  cannoj; 
yet  accbmplifh  ;  aild  that  both  hirafelf 
iand  family  have  undergone  irinumcrablci 
hardfhips  and  affliction  fir^cc  thty  have 
been  prifoners  in  Canada. 
"  In  teftiniony  of  which,  we  the  fubfcri- 
bers,  Officers  in  his  Britannic  Majefty*;* 
fervice,  and  now  prifoners  of  war  ac  Que- 
bec, have  thought  it  ncceffary  to  grant 
him  chis  certificate,  and  dp  recouiuiend 
Kim  as  an  objed  Worthy  the  aid  and  coni- 
pafllon  of  every  honcft  Englifhman.   '  ■' 

PETER  SCHUYLER, 
Signed  ANDREW  WATKINS, 

^-  WILLIAM  MARTIN, 

WILLIAM  PADGETf. 
QuebecySept.  1 6^  1757.   -  '    ^ 

To  comgcnfatc  him  for  this  misfor- 
tune, Gov,  Powrial  recoaimcnded  a  grant, 
which  the  General  Court  complied  with^ 
and  gave  him  one  hundred  dollars  from 
the  treafury,  and  he  was  recorded  a  faith- 
ful fubjeft  of  King  Gcorv  e. 
'  Al'Tj:r  }.is  diiiixiilion  from  the  guards 
in  Boiton,  he  proceeded  difcftly  for 
Charlcftn-vn.  When  within  fifteen  mito 
pf  Springlicld^  he  v/as  iPiCt  by  a  gentlemaa 
iyho  had  juft  before  iwcaiiie^   who  gave 


•V      >  "■>- 


Mrs.     1  O  H  N  S  O  N. 


125 


cannol: 
himfelf 
mcrable 
jy  have 

fubfcri- 
/IajeAy';i 
at  Que- 

0  grant 

unuien4 
nd  com- 
an, 
LER, 
rKlNS, 
n  IN, 

GrElT^ 

misfor- 

1  a  grant 
2d  withj 
irs  from 
1  a  faith- 

e  guards 
S;ly  for 
:en  miic.^ 
'ntleniaa 

bo  gav.^ 


him  the  beft  news  he  could  have  heard  ; 
although  it  was  then  Lire  at  night,  he  loft 
not  a  moment..  At  two  o'clock  in  tlie 
morning  of  the  firft  of  January  175S,  I 
again  embraced  my  dearelt  friend—happy 
new  year,  with  pleafure  would  I  defcrihe 
my  emotions  or  joy,  could  language  paint 
them  fufficiently  iorcible  ;  but  the  feeble 
pen  {brinks  from  the  talk. 

Charlestown  was  ftill  a  frontier  town, 
and  fuffered  from  favage  depredations, 
which  rendered  it  an  improper  r©fidence 
for  me ;  confequently  I  went  to  Lancafter. 

Mr.  Johnfon,  in  a  few  days,  fat  out  for 
New- York,  to  adjuft  his  Canada  accounts. 
But  on  his  journey  he  was  perfuaded  by 
<Sov.  Pownal  to  take  a  Captain*s  xom- 
mifiion,  and  join  the  forces  bound  for  Ti- 
conderoga  :  where  he  was  killed  on  the 
8th  of  July  following,  in  the  battk  that 
proved  fatal  to  Lord  How,  while  fight- 
ing for  his  country.  Humanity  will 
weep  with  me.  The  cup  of  forrow  was 
now  replete  with  bitter  drops.  '  All  my 
^^rmcr  mifcries  were  1  oil  in  the  affliction 
H.'^f'a  widow.  ■    ' 

In  Oftobcr^  1758,1  was  infoi'med;  that 
xi\y  Ibn  Sylvanns  v/a&  a^  3J^ortha.nrptoac, 


I 


r.- 


a  .V 


iz6  CAPTIVITY    OF  </ 

fick  of  a  fcald.  I  haftcned  to  the  place^ 
and  toiind  him  in  a  deplorable  fituatioii  ; 
he  was  brought  there  by  Major  Putnarr 
afterwards  Gen.  Putnam,  with  Mrs.  H 
and  her  family,  who  had  returned  froi  i 
captivity.  The  town  of  Northampton 
had  taken  the  charge  of  him — his  fitu.i- 
tion  was  milerablc  ;  when  I  found  him 
he  had  no  recblleciion  of  me,  but  aft  :r 
f^)me  converfation,  he  h  id  fome  conftiici 
ideas  of  me,  but  no  remembrance  of  Ui? 
father.  It  was  four  years  unce  I  had 
fecn  him,  he  was  then  eleven  ye,ars  old  ; 
during  his  abfence  he  had  entirely  forgot- 
ten the  Engfifli  language,  fpoke  a  little! 
broken  French,  but  was  perfeft  in  Indian. 
lie  had  been  with  the  favages  three  yeaif , 
and  one  year  with  the  French  ;  but  hi; 
Habits  were  fomewhat  Indian  :  he  h.iJ 
been  with  them  in  their  hunting  excur- 
fions,  and  fufFered  numerous  hardftiips — 
ke  couldbrandifliatomahawHor  bend  la;: 
bow,  but  thefe  habits  wore  off  by  degro 
I  carried  him  froni  that  place  to  Lau :  r 
ter,  where  he  lived  a- tc>y  years  with  Ct: 
Aaron  Wlltard. 

I  LIVED  in  Lancafter  till  OAober  i ;  ^ 
wlu^al  returned  to  old  Charleftowr: 


V-.J» 


S'»   .  » 


I* 


\<t,\y.i.  -.}  •■ 


; «  ♦ »  i  *i-  ..»  •    *>  • 


'.9 


c  place^ 
latioii  ; 
^utnam 
rs.  Ho  V 
d  froiu 
amptou 
is  fitaa- 
md  him 
ut  af'  :r 
:onfiiicd 
e  ot^  'lii 

I  had 
rs  old  ; 
'  forgot- 

a  littlei 
I  Indian, 
ee  yeai-f, 

but  hi; 
he  held 
J  excur- 
dfliips — 
bend  ill w» 
degro 


v-rj. 


►  Laiiciu- 
ath  Os. 

er  17-:' , 
[lowr;.'-' 


Mrs.    JQHNSpN.  1*7 

The  fight  of  my  former  refidencc  afforded 
ai  ftrange  mixture  of  joy  and  grief,  while 
the  d^efolations  of  war,  and  the  Ipfs  of  z 
nuratifcr  of  dear  and  valuable  friends,  com- 
bined to  give  (he  place  an  ait  of  melan- 
choly. Soon  after  my  arrival,  Major  Ro- 
gers returned  from  art  expedidoh  againft 
the  village  St.  Francis,  which  he  had  de^ 
ihoyed  and  killed  mod  of  the  inhabitants. 
He  brought  with  him  a  ypung  Indian 
prifoner,  who  flopped  at  riiy  houfe,  the! 
moment  h(5faw  me  lie  cried,  my  God,  mj 
God,  here  is  my  fifter  ;  it '  was  oiy  little 
brother  Sabatis,  who  fqrmeny  ufed  to 
bring  the  covfs  for  me,  wlien  I  lived  at 
my  Indian  mafters.  He  was  tranfporte4 
to  fee  me,  and  declareci  that  He  was  ftilf 
my  brother,  and  I  muft  ^c  Us  fifter.  Poof 
fellow !:  The  fortune  of  war  had  left  him 
without  a  finglc  relation,  but  with  his 
country's  enemies,  he  coujd  find  one  who 
too  fenfibly  fcU  his  miferies ;  I  telt  the 
pureft  plCiifuie  in  adminifterii^ig  to  his 
coinfQrt.  '  '        •  "    ^    -   > 

1  WAS  extremely  fortunate  in  njceiving 
by  one  of  IW^ijor  Rogers's  men,  *  bundle 
of  Mr,  Jchnlbii's  papejrs,  which  he  found, 
pi  Lining  Si.    Francis.     The   Indian)! 


m 


M 


128 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


'4 


»-\ 


i 


took  tKcmVi'licn  we  were  captivated,  and 
they  had  lain  at  St.  Francis  five  years. 

Sab  AT  IS  went  from  Charleftown  to 
Crown-Point  with  Major  Roggrs.  When 
lie  got  to  Otter  Creek,  he  met  my  fon 
Sylvanus,  who  was  in  the  army  with  Col. 
Willard  :  he  recognized  him,  and  ibfping 
him  in  his  arms,  "  My  God,"  fays  he, 
^  the  fortune  of  war  !" — I  fliall  ever  re- 
member thi5>  young  Indian  with  affe^lion  ; 
he  had  a  high  fenlc  of  honor  and  good 
beha^viour,  he  was  affable,  good  natured 
and  polite. 

My  daughter  Sufanna  was  ftill  in  Cana« 
da—but  as  i  had  the  fuUeft  affurances  that 
every  attention  vvas  paidto  her  educaltoa 
andv^rdfare  by  her  three  mothers,  I  felt 
lefs  anxiety  tkan  1  other  wife  might  have 
done. 

Every  one  will  Imagine  that  I  have 
paid  affliction  her  utmoft  demand,  the 
pains  of  imprifonment,  the  feparation 
from  my  children,  the  keen  forrow  occa- 
fioned  by  the  death  .of  a  butchered  father, 
and  the  ievere  grief  arifing  from  my  huf 
band's  death,  will  amount  to  a  fum,  per- 
haps, unequalled.  But  tlill  my  family 
inuft  be  doomed  to  further  and  fevere  per- 


.   >    '    *    *    *i4i 


;d,  and 
lars. 

)wn  to 
When 
iTiy  fon 
ith  Col. 
vbfping 
ays  he, 
ver  re- 
retlion  ; 
d  good 
natured 

n  Cana- 
ices  that 
lucaltoa 
rs,  I  felt 
fht  have 

t  I  have 
ind,  the 
paration 
)w  occa- 
i  father, 
my  huf- 
am,  per- 
^  family 
verepef;^ 


K     Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


129 


ft(jutions,  from  the  favageg.  In  the  com* 
mencement  of  the  fummer  of  1 760,  my 
brother  in  law,  Mr.  Jofeph  Willard,  fon 
of  tKe  Rev.  Mr.  Willard  of  Rutland, who 
was  killed  by  ch^  Indians  in  Loyeirs  war, 
with  his  wife  aud  five  dxildren,  who  lived 
but  two  miles  diftant  from  me,  were  ta^- 
ken  by  a  party  of  Indians.  They  were 
carried  much  the  fame  rout  that  I  wgis  tQ 
Montreal.  Their  journey  of  fourteen 
days  through  the  wildernefs,  was  a  ferics 
of  miferies,  unknown  to  any  but  thofe 
who  have  fuffered  Indian  captivity,  they 
loft  two  children,  whofe  deaths  were  ow- 
ing  to  favage  barbarity.  The  hiftory  ot 
their  captivity  would  almoft  equal  my 
own,  but  the  reader's  commiferation  an4 
pity  muft  now  be  exhaufted.  No  more 
of  anguifli,  no  more  of  fufferings. 
"'  They  arriveci  at  Mqritreal  a  f(;w  days 
before  the  French  furrendered  it  to  the 
Jlngliflx  ;  and  after  four  month's  abfence, 
returned  home,  and  broi^ght  my  daughter* 
Sufanna  to  n^y  arms ;  while  I  rejoiced  at 
again  nieeting  my  child,  v^hom  I  had  no^ 
ifef  n  for  above  fiVe  years,  X  felt  es^tremely 
grateful  to  the  Mrs.  Jaiffons,  for  the  af-. 
fedionatc  att«ntioa   they  had  bcftowe4 


y  ..^ 


'•  I  *• 


f  ■* 


1*1 


m 


■i  :  f 


r\ 


3^ 


CAPTIVITY    OF 


On  Ji^r.  As  they  had  received  her  as  their 
child,  they  had  made  their  afllucnt  for- 
tune fubfcrv^ent  to  her  heft  interell.  Td 
give  her  the  accornphihnients  of  a  polite 
education  had  been  their  principal  care, 
Ihe  had  contracted  an  ardent  love  f(ir 
^  them,  which  never  will  be  obliterated. — 
Their  parting  was  an  afFetling  fcenc  of 
tears.  They  never  forgot  her  during 
their  lives  ;  flie  has  eight  letters  from 
thcin,  which  are  proofs  of  the  warmed 
friendfhip.  My  daughter  did  not  know 
me  at  her  return,  and  fpoke  nothing  but 
French  ;  my  fon  fpoke  Indian,  fo  that  my 
tailiily  was  a  mixture  of  nations. 
"/  Mr.  Farnsworth,  my  only  fello^V 
prifoner  whofe  return  I  have  not  mcn- 
tionedi  came  home  a  little  before. 

Thus,  by  the  goodnefs  of  Providence, 
we  all  returned  in  thecouric  of  fix  pain- 
ful years  to  the  place  from  whence  we 
were  taken .  The  long  period  of  our  cap- 
tivity, and  the  feverity  of  our  fufferings, 
will  be  called  uncommon  and  unpreceden- 
ted. But  we  even  found  fome  friends  to 
pity,  among  our  moft  perfecuting  enc- 
mics  ;  and  from  the  various  Ihapes  in 
winch  mankind  appeared,  we  learned  ma- 


Mrs.  JOHNSON. 


^3' 


ot  mcn- 


iny  valublc  Icffoas:  Whether  in  the  wild^. 
of  C4anada5  tjie  horrid  jails  ol  C)uebec,  or 
111  our  voy;ige  to  L'urope,  daily  occurren- 
ces happened  to  convince  us  that  the 
paflions  of  men  are  as  various  as  their 
complexions.  AikI  although  my  fuiJ'er*. 
ings  were  often  increafcd  by  the  fclfiih* 
nefe  ot  this  world's  Ipirit,  yet  the  numer- 
ous tcftinionics  of  generohiy  I  received-, 
bids  me  fupprefs  the  charge  of  neglect,  or 
waut  of  benevolence.  That  I  have  been  • 
an  unfortunate  woman,  all  will  grant  ;— - 
y^t  njy  misforiuues,  while  they  enriched 
:i^y  experience,  and  taught  me  the  value 
of  patience,  have  increafed  my  gratitude 
to  the  author  of  all  bleflings,  whofe  good- 
nefs  and  mercy  have  prefer  ved  my  life  to 
the  prefent  time.  -  - 

During  the  time  of  my  widowhood^ 
mi^sfortime  and  di£appointment  were  my 
intimate  companions  ;  when  New-Kng- 
land  was  Y\ihd  by  a  few  men  who  were  • 
the  creatures  of  a  king,  the  plcafures  of 
diiripation  were  preferred  to  the  morefer 
vere  attention  to  bufinefs,  and  the  fraall 
voice  of  a  woman  was  felriom  heard. — 
Hence  in  the  fettlement  of  my  hufband's  . 
eft  ate,  the  delay  and  perplexity  was  dif- 


'32 


GAPTIVltY    OP 


*-.< 


0 


trefTing.  I  made  three  journeys  to  t^orif- 
inouth,  fourteen  to  Bofton,  and  three  to 
Bpringficld,  to  efFeft  the  fettlement. 
Whether  my  captivity  had  taught  me  to 
be  ungrateful,  or  whether  imagination 
formed  a  catalogue  of  evils,  I  will  not 
pretend  to  fay  5  but  from  the  year 
i754tof  the  prcifent  day,  greater  misfor- 
tunes have  apparently  fallen  to  my  {hare 
than  to  mankind  iii  generstl,  and  the  me- 
teor happinefs  has  eluded  my  grafp.  ^  The 
life  of  a  widow  is  peculiarly  afBidive, — 
but  my  numerous  and  long  jonrnies  over 
roads  imminently  bad,  and  incidents  that 
feemed  tobaflSie  all  my  plans  aiid  forefight, 
render  niine  more  unfortunate  than  com- 
mon. 

But  I  found  many  attentive  friends, 
tvhofe  afiftance  and  kindnefs  will  always 
claim  my  gratitude.  Colonel  White  of 
Leominfter,  with  whom  I  had  lived  from 
the  time  I  was  eight  years  old  until  I 
married,  was  extremely  afFeftionate  and 
kind— -in  his  houfe  I  found  a  welcome 
home.  Mr.  Samuel  Ely  of  Springfield^ 
Svho  was  the  friend  of  my  hufband,  ren- 
dered ijie  numerous  kindneffes.  Colonel 
Murray  of  Rutland^^  and  Col.  Chandler  of 


0  JPorif- 
hrce  to 
emcnt. 
me  to 
ination 
ill  not 
5  year 
nisfor- 
y  fllarc 
:hc  me- 
.^  The 
live, — • 
es  over 
Its  that 
refight^ 
m  com- 

friendsf 
always 
rhite  of 
ed  from 
until  I 
ite  and 
welcome 
ngfield,' 
id,  ren- 
Colonel 
ndler  of 


Mr.3.  JOHNSON.  ijj 

Worcefter,  were  very  friendly  and  kind. 
Mr.  Clarke,  deputy  lecretary.  Gov.  Pow- 
nail,  and  Gov.  Wentworth,  exerted  theit 
influence  for  me  in  attempting  to  procure 
a  grant  from  the  General  Aflembly. 

In  one  of  my  journies  to  Portfmouth,  I 
converfed  with  Capt.  Adams,  who  was  in 
Europe  a:t  the  time  I  was-^he  informed 
me  that  while  there  Mr,  Apthorp  gave 
him  fourteen  pounds  fterlipg,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  conveying  me  and  fliy  family  to 
America  ;  my  failing  with  the  convoy 
prevented  my  receiving  this  kindnefs. 

During  the  four  years  oi  my  widow- 
hood I  was  in  quite  an  unfettled  fituation  ; 
fometimes  receiving  my  children,  who 
were  returning  from  captivity,  and  at 
others  fettling  the  eftatc  of  my  deceafed 
hufband^  In  October j  1759, 1  moved  to 
eharleftown,  and  took  poffeffion  of  my 
patrimony,  confifting  of  a  hotife  which 
Col.  Whiting  had  gcneroufly  afllftcd  my 
mother  in  building;  in  copai;;tnerfliip  with 
nay  brother  Mofes  Willard,  I  kept  a  fmall 
ftore,  which  was  of  ferviae  in  fupporting 
hiy  family,  and  fettling  my  hufband*s  ef- 
tatc.—^-I    have  received,   by  petitioning^ 

from  the   General    Aflembly    of  New* 

M 


34 


CAPTlVMt   Of 


Hampfliire,  forty  two  pounds,  to  inderf*- 
nity  mytelf'4nd  faniiiy  tor  lofles  fullaiiied 
by  Qiir  country *s  eneniiei.  This  ivas 
of  en^incht  I'ervice  to  tiie.  Mr.  Johnfoii 
left  with  Mr.  Charles  Apthorp,  of  Bofton, 
the  fum  which  my  fon*s  redf^iiiption  coll, 
for  CqI.  Schuyler,  who  had  pjid  the  fame* 
3ut  theGeneral  Aircmbly  of  Mafl'achufetts 
afterwards  paid  Gol  Schuyler  his  demand 
for  redeeming  my  fon; 

By  IVfr.  Johnfon  I  had  fevcti  children  5 
two.fons  and  ^  daughter  diedin  infancy. 
Sylyanus,  with  whom  the  reader  is  ac- 
quainted, now  lives  in  Charleftown.  Su- 
lanna  married  Capt.  Samuel  Wethetbee^ 
and  has  been  the  mother  of  iifteen  chil- 
ditcvii  |in;iQng  which  were  five  at  two 
birthsi  jPolly  niarried  Col.  Timothy  Be* 
del,  of  Hs^vevhill— died  in  Aiiguft  1789. 
(^aptive  married  Col.  George  Kimball* — 
In  the  year  iy62  I  mal'ded  Mr.  John  Haf^ 
tings,  my  prefent  hufband ;  he  was  one  of 
the  firtt  fcttlers  in  Charleftown  ;  I  recoU 
iecl  to  have  feen  him  wken  I  vifited  the 
place  in  the  year  1744 — 'h^  fufFercd  much 
by  the  Indians,  and  affiftcd  in  defending 
the  town  during  the  wars.  By  him  I  have 
hskd  feven  chiji(ken  ;  one  daughter  an4 


Mrs.     JOHNSON. 


I3i 


inderf*- 
iltaiiied 
his  tvas 
Johnfoii 
BoftoTij 
)n  coft, 
le  fame* 
hufetts 
demand 

lildren  5 
infancy. 
er  is  ae- 
vn.  Su- 
ithetbee^ 
een  chil- 
at  two 
Othy  Be* 
ift  1789. 
mbalL — 
ohn  Hafi 
as  one  of 
;  I  recoU 
fited  the 
ed  much 
efending 
im  I  have 
[iter  an4 


fomr  fons  died  In  theit*  infancy*  Thedd-er- 
iia  is  married  to  Mr.  Stephen  Hafham  j 
Randilla  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  two, 
flic  lived  from  her  infancy  with  Mr.  Sam- 
uel Taylor  of  Rockingham,  by  whom  fhe 
y/as  treated  with  great  affection.  I  have 
hadjthirty  nine  grand-chiWren,  and  four 

great-grand-children. 
'  I  AM  now  in  the  vxanter  of  life,  and  feel 
fenfibly  the  effects  of  old  age.  I  live  oh 
the  fame  fpot  where  the  Indians  took  ui 
from  in  1754,  but  the  f^ce  of  nature  ha^ 
fo  cb-anged^  that  old  favage  fears  are  a^H 
baniflied.  My  yacant  hours  I  often  ern- 
ployin  reflefting  on  thq  various  fcene$ 
that  have  marked  the  different  ftage'S  of 
my  life.  When  viewing  the  pr^fent  ri- 
fmg  generation,  in  the  bloom  of  health, 
^nd  enjoying  thofe  gay  pleafures  urhich 
ihed  their  exhilerating  influence  fo  plen- 
tifully in  the  morn  of  life,  I  look  bac^'  to 
my  early  days,  when  I  too  was  happy,  arid 
bafked  in  the  funfliine  of  good  fortune  : 
Little  do  they  think,  that  the  meridian  rf 
their  lives  can  poffibly  be  rendered  mifet- 
able  by  captivity  or  a  prifon  ;  as  little  too 
did  I  think  that  my  gilded  profpecls 
<;ould  be  obfcured  i  but  it  ^yas  the  happy 


,   n.<fciktm-i   rUti'  riiin 


■  S  ♦*  . 


»3S 


eAPTIVITY    OF 


If 


»^ 


.dcluilon  of  youth  ;  ind  I  fervently  wifti 
there  was  no  deception.  Put  that  Being, 
who  "  fits  upon  the  circle  of  the  earth, 
and  views  the  inhabitants  as  grafshop- 
pers,**  allots  all  pur  fortunes. 

Although  I  have  drank  fo  largely 
from  the  Clip  of  fo):row,  yet  my  prcfcnt 
happinefs  is  a  fmall  compenfatioq.  Twice 
has  my  country  been  ravaged  by  war, 
iince  my  remembrance  ;  I  have  detailed 
,the  fiiare  I  bore  in  the  firft  ;  in  the  laft, 
althdligh  the  place  in  which  I  live  was 
not  a  field  of  bloody  battle,  yet  its  vicini- 
.ty  to  Ticonderoga,  and  the  favages  that 
ravaged  the  Coos  country,  rendered  it 
perilous  and  diftrefling.  But  now  no 
one  can  fet  a  higher  value  on  the  fmilcs  of 
peace,  than  myfelf.  The  favages  arc 
driven  bcyo.id  the  lakes,  and  oi^r  country 
has  no  enemies.  The  gloomy  wildernefs, 
thai  forty  years  ago  fecreted  the  Indian 
and  the  beaft  of  prey,  has  vanlflied  away ; 
and  the  thrifty  tarm  fmiles  in  its  ftead  j 
ihe  Sundays,  that  were  then  employed  in 
guarding  a  fort,  are  now  quietly  devoted 
to  worfliip  ;  the  tomahawk  and  fcalping 
knife  have  given  place  to  the  fickle  and 
alough-flure  j  and  profpcrous  huipaudry 


Mr:,.  JOHNSON. 


137 


ly  wi& 
t  Being, 
c  earth, 
rafshop- 

largely 
prcTcnt 
Twice 
3y  war, 
detailed 
the  laft, 
ivc  was 
s  vicini- 
ges  that 
dered  it 
now  no 
fmilcs  of 
iges  arc 
country 
Idernels, 
e  Indian 
d  away ; 
s  ftead  5 
loyed  ill 

devoted 
fcalping 
kle  and 
ip4ndry 


pow  thrives,  where  the  terrors  of  death 
once  chilled  us  with  fear. 

My  numerous  progeny  often  gather 
around  me,  to  hear  th^  fufferings  once 
felt  by  thei^  aunt  or  grandmothtr,  and 
wonder  at  their  i:n.agnitude.  My  daugh- 
ter, Captive,  ftLUkeeps  the  drefs  file  ap- 
peared in  when  brought  to  my  bed  fide 
by  the  French  nurfe,  at  the  Ticonderoga, 
hofpital ;  and  often  refreihes  my  memo- 
ry with  p^ft  fcenes,  when  fliowing  it  to 
her  children.  T hefe  things  yidd  a  kind 
of  melancholy  pleafure. 

InsI'amcks  of  longevity  ar^  r^m^tkabfe 
in  my  family.  My  ^ged  n'lother,  before 
her  death,  could  fay  to  nte^  arife  dau^^hter 
and  go  to  thy  dfivighter,  for  thy  daugh- 
ter's daughter  has  got  a  daughter  ;  a  com- 
maud  which  few  mothers  can  make  and 


A>Ji>  hftw  riader,  after  fihceMy  w^i- 
i^fag  that  your  days  may  be  as  happy  as 
mine  have  beqh  unfprtunate)  I  bid  yoUv 
adieu. 

'  'Qharkjidivfiy  June  20,  179^^0 

;.  ,         ,  .  .  .■■:■■-•        ..    ■     >j  ,       .         ■'■■ 


A' 


y 


APPENDIX. 


r 


Ifames  of  perfons  Killed  in  Cljarl0oivn^  No.  4^ 

and  time  whcri'  --by  the  hidians* 

Setii  Putnam,  May  2,  174^8.  . 

Samuel  Karufworth,!  ^      ^.     f  Aaron  Lyon, 
jofeph  Allen,  {•    ,^^,  ^    '    \ 

feterPerin,  J  (. Jofeph  Maffey. 

Jedediah  Winchel,  June  or  July,  17^6. 

Philips,  Aujruft  3,  174?6. 

^aacGoodale.     1q^^^^     ^     ^^ 
^    NatiiaTiid  Gould,  |. 

Obadlah  Sartwell,  June,  1749. 

Lieut.  Moles  Willard,  June  18,  1756. 

Afahel  Stebbuw,  Auguft,  175ii. 
Jofiah  Kellogg,  1759. 

^timber  taken  Pr if  oners  by  the  Indians  jfi^wit 
CharleJiQwriy  No*  /^. 

Capt.  John  Spafford,") 
,   Ifaac  Parker,  V  April  19,  1746. 

f    Stephen  Farnfworth,  J 

^  Andeirfon,  Oiftober,  1747. 

Euos  Stevens,  June  17*  1749. 
lames  Johnfon,      "1  TPolly  Johnfoii, 

Sufanna  John(bn,  i  Auguft29,  iMiriam  Willardt 
Sylvahus  Jjohnfon,  f     1754.      "Y  Peter  Labarrec, 
Sufan  JoJinffett*      J  •  t  Eb'r  Faimfworth, 

Sampfon  Colefax,   1  fThomas  %Qb- 

DavidFarniVorth,  >■  May,  1756.  <  ins, 

I 


Thomas  Robin 
Ntrs.  Robins, 


ffax,   1 
rorth,  >  M^ 


Afa  Spaffordl 


Kaac  Parker,  f  Augyil,  1758, 
David  Hill,  J 

Jofeph  Willard,  T:Tu„e*r    17fi# 

y/iie  aeii  five  CKildroo,!''^?*  ^ y^ 


-i.'i 


APPENDIX. 


»3? 


I,  No.  45 

i. 

I^yon, 
Maifey. 


tns,j^(Mi 


^6. 


J^etterfrm  Col.  Lr^^^s  to  Mrs.  yoBNSONm 

Albany,  May  5,  1755. 

Mrs.  Johnson— I  received  yours  of  the  6th 
April,  with  otie  for  your  huTaand  ;  it  feems  you  are 
concerned  v/hcther  or  no  he  got  fafe  here  :  it  feen^k 
alfo  by  yours,  that  you  mention  to  have  received  a 
letter  from  me,  and  none  from  your  hufband. — — ^ 
When  he  left  Albany  to  ^o  to  New-England,  he  left 
ine  a  letter  for  you,  to  be  forwarded  the  firft  oppo»- 
tunity,  which  I  did  with  that  you  received  from  me. 
1  have  exp^dted  your  huiband  this  three  montbi 
pafl,  to  come  and  fetch  yoq  and  your  famllf .  Siiice 
he  left  Albany  \  never  received  a  line  from  him,  and 
the  occafion  of  the  delay  I  cannot  conceive,  without 
it  is  the  difficulty  to  proctire  filver  money.  Keepi 
sr)od  heart,  I  hopo  you  will  foon  fee  your  holband^ 
is  the  wiib.  froip  your  humble  ienrant, 
,1.^  JQHWW.  LYDIUa. 


shnfoiis 
WiUard, 
•abarree, 
rnfworth, 
IS  Ito))- 

)a£Ebril 


'^% 


from  Gtil.  CvrLMJt  U,  Mr.  yAMES  Johsson^ 

SIR — I  have  received  yours  of  the  7th  and  8th 
inft.  and  h^i^ve  noted  the  contents.  I  really  do  noi 
under(^and  what  you  write  me  iot  iu  the  firft  place-^ 
you  (ay  that  my  bills  were  not  accepted — ^at  the 
iame  time  I  find  by  your  draught  on.  me  that  you 
have  received  on  my  aqcount  2300  Itvres,  from  Mri 
La  Corne  St.  Luc.  I  x^o^  fend  to  him  ^SB.  dollars 
^r  the  payment  of  your  draught.  I  am  fony  tha  j 
Mr.  Rine  de  Cauogne  has  not  acctzpted  of  my  H!J  , 
ifnt  feven)  rei(bns.     I  liaye  oow  defired  1/^.}^^^ 


I40 


APPENDIX, 


carne  St.  Lu.c  to  let  you  have  TOQlivres  bcfJes  the 
2300  which  you  have  already  received.  I  am,  lir, 
your  hunible  I'ervant. 

COHNELIUS  CUYLER. 

from  Mr.  jfvhnfon  fa  Mifs  Miriam  WiI/a/:cL 

Quebec,  April  1G,  IT.^Ci. 

L6viN<5  Si  st'er— After  our  love  to  you,  there  are 
to  inform  you  chat  we  are  all  well  at  prcferit*  as  I 
hope  thefe  Will  find  you  and  our  little  daujjnter,  and 
^11  other  friends  at  Montreal.  |  have  wrjtteii  to  you 
once  befoire  how,  i<nd  -we  have  hail  no  an(i*rer,  io 
that  We  do  not  know  what  your  cifcamftances  art?, 
only  that  the  General  was  fo  good  as  to  let  us  know 
that  you  and  Sufaiiaa  were  well,  i  would  have 
you  go  to  the  Genefral  and  beg  the  flivor  'to  c^orne 
down  here  to  live  with  us  ;  for  1  havfe  writl'eh  tC- 
tlie  General,  and  bejTpred-the  fame  fiivor.  I  would' 
have  you  fpare  no  pains',  for  if  you  meet  with  any 
misfortunes  it  will  contribute  very  much  to  your 
parents  iorrovv,  as  well  as  to  ours.  So  I  would  not 
have  yoUi  dffcouraged,  or  h:irl>op.. any  thoughts  of 
ftayfng  in^is  coiintry,  for  I  da  jwt. doubt  but  -we 
&all  go  home  ihis  fuhimer  i  for  I  hjftfye  idelired  the 
QeneraJ.tq,  fend  home  thofe  of  us  that  are  p^id  for, 
%n4  vf^}i^Y  in  the  country  tillth^rie  is  a  clmtijge  df 
priibners  i  jaiid  if  yoti  cdnnot  come  down,  beg  leav^ 
of  the  Creiiera]  to  let  you  wtife  to  us^letu*  know 
what  your  circuriaftanccs  are.  Give  my  fefvidfirs  To 
llfir,  Du  Qiiefnean4  M^dam»  an4  to  Sufani>a*s  math- 
^So— We  fewiiin  vour  lovfnsr  brother  'and  Tifter. 

JAMES  k  SUSANNA  JOHNSOR 


i.izi 


V 


APPENDIX. 


^-  ^ 


141 


jfiJes  tlie 
I  am,  iiif 

LER. 
WillarcL 

rent.  Hs  I 
[titer,  and 
:eiii  to  you 

inces  are, 
t  us  know 
uld  have 
^  'to  come 
wfitl'eh  tC 

\  would' 
with  any 
h  to  your 
would  not 
oughts  of 
>t  but  .we 
efired  the 

p^fd  for* 

begkav^ 
tu»  know 
S?rvi<iirs  To 
1a^smath- 
i  Tifter. 
HNSOR 

^ 


fram  Mifs  Miriam  Wdlard  to  Mr.  John/on: 

flVrltlcnai  Montreal,  July  or  Au^ujl^  17 56,  J 

Loving  Brother  akd  Sister- — Waving  receiv- 
fid  yours  of  the  5th  Ju'yt  it  being  the  fecond,  though 
^you  nave  feni:  four— wlitTein  you  give  me  to  under* 
(land  that  my  ^ilier  is  not  well,  and  thiit  you  would 
have  me  romt*  down-^for  wliich  I  have  afked  th^ 
liberty  of  Uw  General  ;  he  do"s  not  fee  fit  to  Itft  m« 
jcome,  unlefs  I  Wi^ii^d  ^o  to  prifon,  und  I  think  I  am 
b«tier  off  here  than  thiir  comes  to;  therefore  I  take 
this  opportiiilty  to  inform  you  of  my  health  at  thU 
time,  and  of  Suilmna,  and  all  tbe  leflof  the  prifon- 
crs  here,  { iind  my  lovtf  is  folded  up  in  their  lives) 
.with  our  friands  that  we  were  i;aken  v  ith,  to  you 
and  to  all  friends  there.  Sufanna  Ilaiihad  the  fmall 
pox,  and  is  prodigiouijy  marked.  I  would  not 
have  you  be  concerned  about  my  ftaying  here,  for 
the  longer  I  ftay  the  more  anicious  defiies  I  have  ^o 
go  home.  MIRIAM  WILLARD.  ' 

P.  S.  I  hear  by  Mr.  Jofiah  Fofter  of  Winchef- 
ter,  who  was  talcen  on  the  7th  of  June,  with  his  fam- 
ily, that  our  friends  at  No.  4  were  all  well,  and  our 
brother  James  was  returning  from  the  eaftward.— • 
No  more  at  prefent— I  ihaU  fubfcribe  myfelf  ia 
hafte  your  loving  liiter,  M.  W« 

Frm  Mr*  Jofiah  Fojier  to  Mr.  John/on. 

MoNTRAEi.  May  16,  1757. 
SIR— After  my  refpc6ts  to  you,  your  >vife  ar.d 
filler,  hoping  you  aie  in  b faith-  -\',  v/e  are  atprefenr, 
bleifcd  be  God  forir.  The  5th  Jay  of  this  preft;nt 
month,  the  M  )hav;ks  brought  in  prlfoners  from 
'^o,  ^,    Mr.  liavid  Famfwortiii,  Sampfon  Colefaxi 


fa 


>*»». ■!.»., 


■.'*--y»^imL  Jt''' 


—-,  ■■•«  ^  *•**•'■<»  ^  J9»      /».• 


«  .  'f "" 


143 


APPENDIX, 


\'V 


1 


t)eacon  Adams,  Afa  Spafford,  ^nd  George  Rpbin^, 
which  gives  us  the  forrowf'ul  news  of  the  de:4th  ot 
your  father  Willardi  who  Was  killed  by  the  Indians 
laft  fntniner  a  little  way  from  the  fort.  Yoqr  broth- 
er Mqfes Wis  f^ibbed  in  the  thigh  with  a  fpear — 
this  is  all  the  mifchief  that  has  been  done^  except  the 
Indians  burnt  the  mills.  Mr.  LabHrr«e  has-  made 
his  efcape  from  Montreal,  and  has  gone  for  the  En- 
glifh  fort.  I  Hioiild  be  glad  to  write  you  a  fuller 
account  of  things^  but  it  is  very  difficult  to  write. 
J  fliould  begiad  you  would  writp  to  me,  to  let  i«9 
l^now  how  you  are.     So  I  re.main  your  friend, 

JOSIAH  FOSTER. 

Frm  Mrs,  Bljjhii  to  Mru  ^-ohnfon^  after  hr 

rsturn, 

Quebec,  Sept*  !»''»  \1S1, 

,  ^^^DAM— ^Iti^  with  all  pofTible  pleafure  I  domy- 
felf  the  pleafure  to  write,  and  to  l^t  you  kno\y  tlie 
dullnefs  I  feel  iince  your  departure.  One  woufd 
net  imagine  il,  confidering  the  little  time  I  had  th« 
happincfsto  be  acquainted  With  you.  I  vvi(h  I  hiiij 
it  in  n^y  power  to  convince  you  of  the  truth  of  it, 
but  the  di fiance  hinders  us  ij  you  will  know  from 
your  hufband  how  I  have  done  all  \  could  to  fee  he; 
had  done  for  him  all  the  little  fervices  in  my  power. 
I  pray  you  would  falute  Mifs  Miriam  in  my  name, 
and  t^l  her  i  wiflu  her  a  pretty  littlfe  hufband  at  her 
return,  worthy  her  merit.  Embrace  alfo  your  two 
little  milTes  ;  my  djuighter  Mary  Ann  afTvires  you 
^f  her  refpe<5]js,  and  lalutes  kindly  Mifs  Mirinm  and 
the  two  little 'Mi  (Tes. — I  beg  you  to  enquire  after 
jny  fon|  who  I  believe  is  taken,  becaufe  he  is  io  lon^ 


APPENDlXi 


H5 


death  ot 
;  Indians 
qrbroth- 
\  fpear — 
xcept  the 
tas-  made 
r  the£n- 
i  a  fuller 
to  write, 
to  let  m^ 
;!ul, . 


rER. 


after  hit 

M757. 

\  I  do  my- 
kno\r  tlic! 
)ne  woufd 
i  h;id  th« 
ivifh  I  hiiii 
ruth  of  it, 
now  from 
I  to  fee  he; 
[ijy  power. 
my  name, 
and  at  her 
>  your  two 
flares  you 
innm  Jind 
juire  after 
!  is  fo  long 


before  lie  cnrrtes  home  :  Ms  name  is  Jhmes  BifTont 
fon  of  James  Biffon  and  Hiibelle  Badeau.  I  ^l-ay 
you  again,  that  in  cafe  you  find  l^itn,  to  do  hifn  what 
fervice  ynii  can,  rind  to  tw.ke  cslre  of  him  :  1  fhall  h% 
tjveilai'tingly  obliged  to  vou  for  it.  1  conclude  by 
affuring  you  that  I  fhall  all  my  life  be,  M^damn 
bne  of  your  greateft  friends,  and  your  humble  (er* 
vant.  .  ThE  Widow  J3ISSON. 

Our  rteighbor,  Mifs  Mary  Ann  Deforme  affures 
you  of  her  refpeds,  and  faltites  Mifs  Miri'am  and  the 
two  little  Mi^fes.  Mifs  Sinette  and  Tenefa  Voyii 
aiFure  you  of  their  refjpcdls,  and  alio  Mifs  Mary  Ann 
and  the  two  Miifes.  Adieu  Madam  Johnfon — I 
wilh  you  health  and  much  joy  ii|)on  Mr.  Johnfoa's 
return,  who  is  to  depart  from  hence  Immediately, 

PASSPORT.u.BT  GeM  MoxcHnN'k 

Halifax,  Oct.  19,  1757. 
THE  bearer,  Mr..  James  Johqfon  is  at  liberty  t# 
take  his  paifage  on  board  any   Veffel  bound  to  the 
continent.  ROBt.  MONCHJON. 

From  Mr.  johnfon  to  Mrs*  ^oijYtfon^ 

Fort  EowARDj  June  22,  175S. 
My  DEAR-^Thtsday  I  have  had  the  forrowful 
i»ews  of  the  lofs  of  my  dear  child.  May  God  fane* 
tify  this  and  all  other  of  his  afflI(Jliv<i  difj^nfations  t» 
us.  I  am  in  good  health  at  prefent,  blelTed  be  God 
for  it,  hoping  this  will  fend  ypU  and  the  reft  of  my 
dear  children  in  like  manner.  We  are  to  march  to- 
morrow to  th^  Lake.  1  have  noting  remarkable  to 
tell  yoTi — I  am  in  hafte,  fo  I  reinatxi  your  moft  lov- 
ing hufband,  JAMES  JOHNSON* 


> 


I 


lt'      .i 


14^ 


APPENDIX. 


Charlestown,  Jan.  10,  1799. 
WE,  whofe  names  are  Ibbfcribed,  hav- 
ing becfn  many  years  acquainted  with 
Mrs.  Haftings,  formerly  Mrs-Johnfon^who 
was  captivated  by  the  Indians  in  this  town 
in  the  year  1754,  are  wHiing  to  fay  in  her 
favor,  that  wc  have  ever  confidered  her 
as  a  woman  of  veracity,  and  that  flie  hath 
ever  fuftaincd  a  good  charafter.  Some 
of  us  were  in  town  when  Ihe  was  captiva- 
ted, and  none  of  us  have  reafon  to  difbe- 
lieve  the  fiitement  of  facts  which  flie  has 

given  the  public. 

PFIKR  LAB  ARE EE, 
THOMAS  PUTNAM, 
MOSES  WILLARD, 
WILL  I  AM  HK  TWOOT), 
JOSEPH  IVlLhAKDy 
srlrANUS  HASTINGS, 
TIMOTHr  PUTNAM, 
ABEL  WALKER, 
SAMUEL  WETHERBE, 
SAMUEL  TATLORy 
TIMOTHr  CARL  ETON, 
OLIVER  HASTINGS,    \^^ 


i " 
Is? 

•  •  • 


'*4^.. 


"-^; 


JONATHAN  BAKER^r;;:;:^ 

ELIJAH  GROUn  -:.^>* 
DEMELL  GROUf^r: 

BEZALEEL  ^hM* 
8f.TH  GROUT,     1^1 
WILLIAM  GILBEWt. 


79?. 
id,  hav- 

d   with 

onjwlio 

is  towrv 

y  in  her 

ed  her 

he  hath 

Some 

captiva- 

0  difbe- 

flie  has 


*  -fe 


^1= 

•    "^    cr 


S,4 


•iV, 


%■* 


•!••■: .; 


r.. 


